RG Kar Case: Supreme Court refuses blanket protection for protesting doctors
Kolkata: The Supreme Court refused to pass 'blanket orders' protecting doctors participating in protests against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma said any order passed would amount to interference with the authority of the police. Observing that the matter cannot be heard "piecemeal", the apex court said it was inclined to transfer the matter to the Calcutta High Court, news agency PTI reported.
The bench observed orally, "We are grappling with so many things, and there is no end to this. It is easier for the Calcutta High Court to monitor protests. Is it possible for us to monitor the protests in Kolkata sitting in Delhi? "How can we pass blanket orders protecting doctors. The police has a right to call you".
Also Read:RG Kar doctor dies under mysterious circumstances, family alleges work pressure
The apex court directed senior advocate Karuna Nundy, representing the Association of junior and senior doctors, to submit a table of matters pending before the Calcutta High Court. During the hearing, Nundy submitted that protesting doctors were being harassed by the police and were called for interrogation repeatedly.
She urged the apex court to issue directions ensuring protection for the doctors. The matter will now be heard after winter vacations. The body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was found in the hospital's seminar room on August 9 last year. Kolkata police arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, the next day.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the parents of the deceased PG trainee at RG Kar Hospital, who have been seeking protection amid alleged threats, have prompted Rashtrapati Bhavan to direct West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to look into the matter. The father of the doctor wrote three emails to Murmu on August 10, 11, and 12, alleging that they were facing “extreme torture and existential threat”.
Also Read:Former RG Kar Deputy Superintendent suspended over corruption allegations
