Supreme Court Forms National Task Force After Kolkata Rape-Murder, Reprimands Mamata Government

In a significant response to the disturbing rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, the Supreme Court of India has mandated the creation of a National Task Force to ensure the safety of medical professionals across the country. The court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, took suo motu cognizance of the case, expressing that the incident had “shocked the conscience of the nation.”

The newly formed task force will consist of 14 members, including legal experts, senior police officers, and healthcare professionals. Their primary objective will be to develop strategies to protect doctors, particularly women, from similar crimes and create a safer working environment within the medical community.

Simultaneously, the Supreme Court reprimanded the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for its inadequate response to the tragedy. The court criticized the state government for the slow pace of the investigation and expressed concern over the circulation of the victim’s images and personal details on social media platforms.

Amidst these developments, the West Bengal government has also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of financial irregularities within the RG Kar Medical College, where the incident occurred. This move has come under scrutiny as many see it as an attempt to shift focus from the mishandling of the rape and murder case.

The nationwide protests sparked by this incident have placed immense pressure on both the state and central governments to act decisively. The Supreme Court’s formation of the National Task Force is seen as a critical step towards addressing the broader issue of safety for medical professionals in India.