SC raps WB govt over doc's rape-murder, forms panel to mull over safety

New Delhi, NT Bureau: Amid spiralling nation-wide protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Supreme Court on Tuesday constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other health care professionals.

Terming the incident as "horrific", the apex court excoriated the state government over the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands of miscreants to vandalise the state-run facility.

It also asked the West Bengal government to not unleash the "power of the State" on peaceful protesters and to deal with them with "great sensitivity in this moment of national catharsis".

The 10-member task force headed by Vice Admiral Arti Sarin has been asked to submit its interim report within three weeks. The Supreme Court, which directed the CBI to submit a status report on the progress made in its investigation, also asked the state government to submit a report on the action it has taken against the vandals.

The court also expressed its deep concern over the name of the victim, her photographs and video clips showing her lifeless body having been splashed all over the media.

Taking a serious note of mob violence and the allegation that the Kolkata police fled the scene, the top court ordered deployment of CISF at the hospital to enable doctors to resume work.

"In the aftermath of the brutal incident, the Government was expected to ensure the deployment of the state machinery to prevent a breach of law and order,'' the court said. (Agencies)