India’s Top Court Condemns Handling of Trainee Doctor’s Rape and Murder Case, Orders National Task Force on Healthcare Safety

India’s Supreme Court has sharply criticized the authorities for their response to the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor in West Bengal, an event that has stirred widespread outrage across the nation. The case, involving the brutal killing of a 31-year-old woman in Kolkata, has been described by the court as one that has “shocked the conscience of the nation.”

The victim, a trainee doctor, was found dead earlier this month in a seminar room of a government-run hospital where she worked. A volunteer worker at the hospital has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the investigation has since been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, presiding over the case on Tuesday, expressed deep concern over the handling of the investigation. The Chief Justice highlighted a range of issues within medical institutions, including inadequate resting facilities, the absence of functional CCTV cameras, lack of security personnel, and insufficient screening for weapons at hospital entrances. In response, the Supreme Court ordered the establishment of a National Task Force (NTF) to recommend safety protocols for healthcare workers at their workplaces. This task force, comprising top doctors and government officials, has been instructed to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report in two months.

During the court proceedings, Chief Justice Chandrachud criticized the West Bengal government and the local police for delays in registering the First Information Report (FIR) in the case. He expressed dismay that the victim’s name and photographs had been shared on social media, a violation of Indian laws that prohibit the identification of rape victims. The Chief Justice noted, “I am deeply concerned that the name of the victim and her photographs were shared on social media,” emphasizing that those responsible could face fines or up to two years in prison.

The court also condemned the recent attack on RG Kar Medical College, where the crime took place. It questioned why sufficient security measures were not implemented to prevent the violence that erupted during last week’s “Reclaim the Night” protest. Tens of thousands of women participated in this protest, during which a mob vandalized the emergency ward of the hospital. Chief Justice Chandrachud remarked, “The power of the state should not be unleashed on peaceful protesters.”

The murder of the trainee doctor has ignited a wave of anger across India, with particularly intense reactions in West Bengal, where Kolkata is the capital. Over the weekend, doctors nationwide participated in a strike organized by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Elective surgeries and outpatient treatments were halted, with only emergency services available at major hospitals. The IMA presented a list of demands, including stronger legal protections for medical staff against violence, enhanced security at hospitals, and the creation of safe resting spaces for healthcare workers.

The case has also sparked a political controversy in West Bengal, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government faces accusations of mishandling the situation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in opposition in the state, has accused Ms. Banerjee’s administration of suppressing peaceful protests. The Kolkata High Court has also criticized local police for their lapses and subsequently transferred the case to the CBI.

The parents of the victim have expressed their dissatisfaction with the state government’s response, rejecting compensation offered by the authorities. They have criticized the management of the medical college for failing to ensure their daughter’s safety and have publicly stated that they no longer trust Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They accused her of trying to suppress public anger over the incident.

In her defense, Ms. Banerjee claimed that the state police had completed 90% of the investigation before the case was handed over to the CBI. She has also accused opposition parties of politicizing the tragedy for their gain. Despite this, Ms. Banerjee has called for a swift conclusion to the investigation and demanded that those responsible for the crime be given the death penalty.

In response to the widespread protests and criticism, the West Bengal government announced several new safety measures for women in the workplace. These include the creation of designated resting rooms and CCTV-monitored “safe zones” in state-run hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Kolkata police have issued notices to over 200 individuals, including students, activists, and members of political parties, for allegedly spreading “false information” about the case and for revealing the victim’s identity.