NEW DELHI: Protests are ongoing across India in response to the brutal rape and murder of a doctor, sparking widespread outrage and calls for greater protection of women in the country. The case has also drawn the attention of the Indian Supreme Court, which has voiced serious concerns over the state of women’s security.
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The Supreme Court, during its hearing on the case, issued an order to establish a National Task Force of Doctors. This task force has been mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and provide recommendations to prevent such tragedies in the future. The Court has instructed the task force to submit its findings and recommendations promptly.
In a sharp rebuke, the Supreme Court criticised the delay in filing a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the crime. It was revealed that a case was only registered three hours after the doctor’s body had been handed over to her parents. The Court stressed that it was the hospital’s responsibility to file an immediate FIR following the incident and questioned the actions of the hospital’s principal at the time of the crime.
“A serious crime occurred within the hospital premises—what was the principal doing?” the Court questioned, highlighting the apparent lack of urgency and responsibility shown by the hospital administration.
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The Supreme Court also criticised the police for their delayed response. The Court demanded answers regarding the police’s actions following the incident, pointing out that the FIR should have been filed immediately, and the body should not have been handed over to the parents before the formal registration of the case.
The Supreme Court’s intervention and the ongoing protests underscore the deep-rooted concerns about women’s safety in India, with the public and judiciary alike demanding swift action and accountability.