The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Kolkata Police and the West Bengal government over the SG Kar hospital rape and murder case and said that the state government can’t force peaceful protestors.
The Supreme Court has asked for a status report of investigation from the CBI and has also sought a report from the West Bengal government on the ruckus at the RG Kar hospital. The next hearing will be on August 22.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also observed that a mob of 7,000 people cannot enter R G Kar Hospital without the knowledge of Kolkata Police. “Let West Bengal not be in denial mode, complete failure of law and order in the state,” he said.
The SC further said that it will constitute a 10-member task force to formulate national protocol for ensuring the safety, and facilities for doctors.
The court raised questions over the Kolkata police’s actions, asking why the body was handed late to the parents and how vandals were allowed to enter the hospital. “We are unable to comprehend how the state was not able to handle the issue of vandalism at the hospital”, the Chief Justice DY Chandrachud reiterated.
“It appears crime was detected in early hours, medical college principal tried to pass it off as suicide,” the bench also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra observed. The top court also said the power of the West Bengal government should not be unleashed on protestors as its time of national catharsis.
The court questioned the appointment of R G Kar’s principal to another college, while his conduct was still under scrutiny. The court also expressed concern over the fact that the identity of the victim, her name and photos, have been revealed publicly.