Today, On 3rd September, The Central government approached the Supreme Court, alleging that the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government is not providing basic facilities to CISF personnel deployed at R G Kar hospital. The Centre has requested that if these issues are not addressed, contempt proceedings should be initiated against the state government officials involved.
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs submitted an application to the Supreme Court, highlighting that CISF personnel stationed at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata lack adequate accommodation and basic facilities.
The Centre also urged that if these issues are not addressed, contempt proceedings should be initiated against the officials of the Bengal government.
The central government approached the Supreme Court, expressing concerns over the insufficient arrangements made for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.
The deployment of these forces followed an order from the Supreme Court. The Centre now filed a contempt case against the West Bengal government, accusing it of not adhering to the court’s directive.
The government pointed out that 92 CISF personnel, including 54 female officers, currently deployed at RG Kar Hospital and experiencing significant accommodation issues. On August 21, the Supreme Court ordered the CISF deployment to safeguard the doctors at the hospital, following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor during her night shift at the seminar hall. Shortly after this tragic incident, a mob vandalized the hospital. In response to these events, the Supreme Court mandated the deployment of security forces.
However, the Centre now claims that the West Bengal government failed to provide adequate accommodation, transportation, and secure storage for security equipment, particularly for the female CISF personnel. The petition emphasizes the urgent need for proper facilities, arguing that the lack of cooperation from the state government is particularly concerning given the current sensitive situation. The central government asserts that ensuring the safety and security of doctors, especially female doctors, should be a primary concern for the state government.
The Centre further argued,
“The inaction of the West Bengal government, despite multiple requests, demonstrates a systemic issue where non-cooperation with central agencies functioning under court orders has become routine.”
The Centre contends that this non-compliance constitutes a wilful disregard of the Supreme Court’s orders.
In its submission, the Centre accused,
“West Bengal government of deliberately creating obstacles and undermining the solution-oriented approach initiated by the Supreme Court.”
The Centre also stated that,
“The state government is wilfully avoiding efforts to resolve the issue, thereby causing injustice to its own residents.”
The housing situation for the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) deployed at the Kolkata hospital, where a tragic rape-murder occurred last month, is poised to become the next point of contention between Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP.
The Centre approached the Supreme Court, arguing that the Bengal government obligated to provide adequate facilities for the CISF personnel tasked with ensuring the hospital’s security. Failure to do so, the Centre warned, would constitute contempt of court, warranting legal action.
In its petition to the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized that the CISF troops stationed at the Kolkata hospital currently housed in a unit located in the city’s suburbs, necessitating an hour-long commute to reach their post. The ministry argued that this significant travel time hampers the personnel’s ability to perform their duties effectively, particularly in emergency situations where a swift response is essential.