The Supreme Court called for increased police presence at medical colleges in West Bengal following the August 9 rape and murder of a doctor at a Kolkata hospital. A civic volunteer arrested as the primary suspect in the case. This incident raised concerns over the safety of students, particularly female students, and the security of medical institutions in the state.
New Delhi: The West Bengal government faced scrutiny in the Supreme Court over the measures it implemented to enhance security at medical colleges following the shocking rape and murder of a 31-year-old woman at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
During a hearing on Tuesday, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Bengal government, detailed the steps taken to improve hospital security. However, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud raised concerns about the use of contractual staff instead of regular police officers for security at the hospital.
The Chief Justice also highlighted that Sanjoy Roy, the accused in the case, a civic volunteer who had unrestricted access to various parts of the hospital.
Additionally, the Chief Justice questioned whether the new security personnel deployed were regular police officers or contractual staff working under the state’s “Rattirer Sathi” (night companion) program aimed at ensuring the safety of female healthcare workers. Mr. Sibal responded that regular police officers were now in place, explaining that the use of contractual staff was only a temporary measure and that they would eventually be replaced by full-time police personnel.
The West Bengal government come under scrutiny in the Supreme Court regarding the steps taken to enhance security in medical colleges following the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. During a hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the Bengal government, outlined the state’s security measures, but Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud raised concerns about the deployment of contractual staff instead of regular police officers. The Chief Justice noted that Sanjoy Roy, the accused in the crime, was a civic volunteer with unrestricted access to all areas of the hospital.
The Chief Justice asked if the newly deployed security personnel were regular police officers or contractual staff under the state’s “Rattirer Sathi” (night companion) program, intended to protect female healthcare workers. Mr. Sibal responded that they were regular police officers and clarified that the use of contractual staff was a temporary arrangement and would be replaced by full-time police.
Expressing concerns about relying on contractual workers, the Chief Justice remarked,
“You know, Mr. Sibal, what really happened was this. The accused was drawn from the volunteer force. If you are going to have another set of contractual people… these contractual people will be trained for seven days and then they will be walking all around in the hospital. What is the protection young doctors have, particularly the women doctors, with these contractual staff walking around at night in the hospital?”
When Mr. Sibal assured that the contractual staff would supplement regular police officers, the Chief Justice pointed out,
“Let’s face it, the crime is alleged to have been carried out by a volunteer who is posted at the hospital.”
Mr. Sibal further explained that the security personnel now deployed are from a security agency hired by the state government, and their recruitment involves thorough verification.
The Chief Justice inquired whether these personnel were subjected to psychological assessments, adding,
“Women doctors have a feeling of insecurity. They don’t know who these people are.”
Mr. Sibal also mentioned that CISF personnel currently stationed at RG Kar Medical College, allowing junior doctors who were protesting to return to work.
The Chief Justice noted,
“CISF will be there for a short time.”
Mr. Sibal assured the court that the state government would make necessary arrangements by then.
As the counsel representing the doctors urged for regular police officers to be stationed at hospitals, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud addressed the West Bengal government, stating,
“The whole problem when you entrust security to contractual staff, particularly in hospitals, where people are on duty for 36 hours, there is virtually no protection for them.”
When Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal mentioned that each hospital had a police outpost, the Chief Justice responded,
“Notwithstanding a police outpost, the FIR was delayed.”
Mr. Sibal then suggested that the state could disband the “Rattirer Sathi” program if the court deemed it necessary. However, the Chief Justice clarified,
“It’s not a question of the court wanting it, we are not in charge of governance.”
Mr. Sibal emphasized that the court should have confidence in the state’s administrative machinery.
The Chief Justice highlighted the vulnerability of young medical students, saying,
“These are young girls straight out of 12th standard who are going to be there for five years. We are dealing with young people in the age group of 18-23 years. They are particularly vulnerable and they have to be protected.”
He stressed the need for regular police officers in all 45 medical colleges in the state.
The bench noted that the protesting doctors did not abstain from work for “pleasure,” but due to the insecurity caused by the presence of contractual security personnel.
The court stated,
“Ultimately, the devil lies in the fine print. You say you will sanction funds, duty rooms are being constructed… the collector, district magistrate, and police superintendent must oversee that these (security) arrangements are in place.”
The Chief Justice further emphasized that a standard operating procedure (SOP) must guide the placement of CCTV cameras, ensuring they cover areas where female doctors rest and use the bathrooms, which are spaces of heightened vulnerability. Mr. Sibal confirmed that an SOP was already in place.
In response, the junior doctors protesting the August 9 incident welcomed the Supreme Court’s observations.
The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front released a statement saying,
“It is clear that this security arrangement that relies on contractual staff is not suitable.”
They consistently opposed the use of volunteers with only seven days of training for hospital security.
The August 9 rape and murder of a doctor at a Kolkata hospital, followed by the arrest of a civic volunteer as the primary suspect, has drawn attention to this workforce. Civic volunteers, an initiative launched by Mamata Banerjee after taking office, were introduced to support regular police officers. According to the Chief Minister’s Office website, Bengal now has over 1.19 lakh civic volunteers.
The requirements to become a civic volunteer are minimal candidates must have completed up to Class VIII, be medically fit, and have no criminal record. There are no written exams, and the Opposition claims that close ties with Trinamool Congress leaders are enough to secure the job.
Sanjoy Roy, the main accused in the RG Kar case, a civic volunteer with unrestricted access to all parts of the state-run hospital. He rode a bike with a “Kolkata Police” sticker, wore a “Kolkata Police” t-shirt, and frequently stayed at police barracks, despite not being an actual policeman.
BJP MLA from Falakata, Dipak Burman, told that civic volunteers are often recruited based on their connections with the ruling party.
He said,
“Most of the inspectors-in-charge and sub-inspectors move around with three to five civic police these days. Their jobs are to run personal errands for the cops, extort money on their behalf, and run surveillance on Opposition politicians. And whenever Mamata Banerjee addresses a public meeting or attends a government programme in the districts, they discard the uniform and turn up as Trinamool supporters to fill the venue, cheering loudly,”
CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty also expressed concerns, stating,
“There are no written tests, no interviews. Who decides who is fit to be a civic volunteer? The ruling party provides a list, and the recruitments take place. The situation is such that the civic police are controlling the police because of their proximity to the political bosses. The policing system has been completely destroyed,”