The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, a case that has sent shockwaves across the nation. The hearing, set for today (August 20), will be conducted by a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, alongside Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. The case has been placed at the top of the courts cause list, scheduled for hearing at 10:30 am.Case details and courts involvementThe case, officially titled In Re: Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, and related issue, has garnered significant attention. This comes in the backdrop of the Calcutta High Court already transferring the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Supreme Courts involvement could potentially expand the scope of judicial review, particularly in light of ongoing nationwide protests led by medical professionals.The Federation of Association of Medical Consultants of India (FAMCI), the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA), and lawyer Vishal Tiwari have all filed interim applications in the case, urging the court to address the broader concerns of safety and justice for medical professionals.Nationwide outcry and protestsThe brutal rape and murder of the 32-year-old trainee doctor on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked widespread outrage. The accused, a civic volunteer, was arrested the following day. Since then, doctors across the country have expressed their anger through peaceful protests, demanding justice for the victim. Outpatient department (OPD) services were suspended nationwide in solidarity, although emergency services remained operational.IMA appeals to Prime Minister ModiIn response to the growing unrest, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 17, seeking his intervention in the case. The letter, signed by IMA national president Dr. RV Asokan and Honorary Secretary General Dr. Anilkumar J Nayak, urged the Prime Minister to take note of the incident to restore confidence among women doctors and all women in the workplace.The IMA also highlighted an incident of vandalism at the hospital on August 14, where the crime took place. The letter expressed grave concerns over the safety of doctors within hospital premises, particularly in the wake of the attack.The incidentThe tragic event unfolded on August 9, when a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The semi-naked body of the 32-year-old victim was discovered in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital. The case, which has drawn national attention, is now being investigated by the CBI following the Calcutta High Courts directive.The IMA emphasized that this case highlights two critical issues: the lack of safe spaces for women in hospitals and the rampant hooliganism that threatens the security of medical professionals. The association has called for immediate action to address these concerns.
