In a significant move on Monday, the Supreme Court deferred the hearing on the recommendations made by the National Task Force (NTF) concerning the safety of healthcare professionals. The matter is rescheduled for the third week of May, as announced by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, along with justices Sanjay Kumar and Joymala Bagchi. The bench directed, “List the matter in the week commencing May 13.”
This rescheduling signals a potential change in the bench, as CJI Khanna is set to retire on May 13, meaning the matter will appear before a different set of justices subsequently. The deferral stems from a case that gained national attention following the tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last August. This incident prompted the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the increasing violence against medical professionals, leading to the formation of the NTF—a nine-member panel of esteemed doctors and healthcare administrators.
During the brief session, the court also permitted the parents of the deceased doctor to continue their pursuit for a further investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the case at the Calcutta high court. Despite the main accused, Sanjay Roy, receiving a life sentence earlier this year, the parents advocate for a deeper investigation to unearth the involvement of other potential culprits. They were initially directed to the Supreme Court through senior advocate Karuna Nundy, but the bench advised them to address the Calcutta high court where related legal proceedings are ongoing.
The NTF’s comprehensive report, submitted last November, argued against the need for a central law dedicated to the violence against healthcare workers. It highlighted that the existing legal measures, including state-specific laws and the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, sufficiently safeguard medical personnel. Twenty-four states have already established such laws, with two more states in the process of doing so. For those without specific legislation, the task force recommended reliance on the BNS’s provisions to ensure the protection of healthcare professionals.
Further, the NTF’s report suggested enhancing security protocols within healthcare facilities, including the formation of security committees to conduct regular audits and pinpoint security lapses. For larger institutions, it recommended establishing centralised security control rooms and deploying Quick Response Teams (QRTs) for prompt action, alongside enhanced CCTV surveillance and improved communication systems to address network blind spots.
Additionally, acknowledging the particular risks faced by women in healthcare, especially during night shifts or in isolated duty areas, the report endorsed the creation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) under the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. It also advocated for better awareness of the Sexual Harassment electronic Box (SHe-Box) to enable women to report workplace harassment effectively.
