Kolkata Rape and Murder Case: Centre moves SC seeking better accommodation and facilities for the CISF personnel deployed at the RG Kar hospital

In a recent development relating to the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) approached the Supreme Court (SC) of India seeking better accommodation and facilities for the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel deployed at the hospital and hostels of resident doctors. The Centre filed a contempt case against the West Bengal Government for allegedly failing to comply with the top court’s order to cooperate with the needs of the CISF troops. On August 20, the SC directed the Union to deploy the CISF at the RG Kar Medical College Hospital and the hostels of resident doctors for their safety (92 CISF personnel stationed at the Hospital including 54 female personnel). This order was passed in light of the vandalism at the hospital on August 14 and the threats made by the mob to the protesting women doctors. 

The SC said, “In the aftermath of the brutal incident and the demonstrations which followed, the State Government was expected to ensure the deployment of the state machinery to prevent a breach of law and order.” It added, “It was all the more necessary to do so since the investigation of the crime which took place in the precincts of the hospital was underway. We are unable to comprehend how the State was not prepared to deal with the incident of vandalization of the premises of the hospital.” During the proceedings, the Centre submitted that ‘the inaction of the West Bengal government,’ despite repeated requests ensured a systematic problem, and this non-compliance amounts to wilful disregard of the top court’s order. In the present appeal, the reliefs sought by the MHA are:

• “To direct the State of West Bengal to extend full cooperation to the CISF, in terms of the reasonable requests made by the CISF, and ensure full compliance, in letter and spirit, of the order dated 20.08.2024 read with order dated 22.08.2024; and/or
• In the alternative, initiate contempt proceedings against the concerned officials/authorities of the State of West Bengal for wilful non-compliance of the orders dated 20.08.2024 and 22.08.2024; and/or
• To pass any other order as the Court deems fit.”

Amidst the nationwide protest by the doctors concerning the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case, the West Bengal assembly unanimously passed the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024,’ which seeks capital punishment for persons convicted for rape if their actions result in the death of the victim or leave her in a vegetative state. While hearing the present appeal, the top court criticized the West Bengal government over the shortcomings in its investigation of the case.