Today, On 9th September, The Supreme Court ordered the West Bengal government to provide proper accommodation and security equipment to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at RG Kar Hospital. This directive aims to ensure the safety and well-being of the security staff.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, On Monday, instructed the West Bengal government to coordinate with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to ensure that its personnel stationed at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata receive both accommodation and the necessary security equipment by the end of the day.
A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed the state government to appoint a senior officer from the home department, along with a senior CISF officer, to work together and ensure that proper accommodation is arranged for all three companies of the central paramilitary force.
The court also took note of the Centre’s report, which stated that one CISF company has been accommodated at the RMA Quarters in RG Kar College, a Kolkata Municipal Corporation School, and at Indira Matri Sadan.
The bench stated,
“Arrangements have been made to provide six buses, four trucks, and three light motor vehicles. We direct the state government to fulfill all requisitions by 5 pm and supply security gadgets by 9 pm,”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, noted that three companies of CISF, including women personnel, have been deployed at the hospital but have not been provided with adequate accommodation.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, speaking for the West Bengal government, argued that all requested facilities have been provided to the CISF.
Sibal informed the court that most of the CISF personnel staying on the hospital premises.
On September 3, the Centre approached the Supreme Court, accusing the West Bengal government of “unpardonable” non-cooperation in providing logistical support to the CISF. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs described the lack of cooperation by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government as “symptomatic of a systemic malaise” and sought a directive for full cooperation from the state authorities.
In an application filed in the case, which the Supreme Court initiated on its own, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the issue concerned the deployment of CISF personnel at RG Kar Medical College, including hostels where resident doctors staying, to ensure their safety.
The application read,
“The CISF personnel at RG Kar Hospital are facing severe difficulties due to a lack of accommodation and basic security infrastructure. The troops are currently staying at CISF Unit SMP, Kolkata, despite the constraints,”
It further noted that the travel time from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, to the hospital was about an hour one way, making it difficult for the CISF to effectively perform their duties and promptly respond to emergencies.
The MHA mentioned that it had addressed the matter with the chief secretary of West Bengal through a letter on September 2, requesting logistical arrangements and security equipment for the force.
The application stated,
“There has been no response from the state government to ensure adequate support for the CISF personnel deployed to secure the residents and workers of RG Kar Medical Hospital under the court’s orders,”
The MHA also noted that despite raising the issue with the West Bengal Chief Secretary through a letter on September 2, no action had been taken by the state government. The Supreme Court’s directive now compels the state to ensure that the CISF personnel are adequately accommodated and provided with the necessary security equipment to carry out their duties at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital effectively.