'What Were Police, Principal Doing?': Supreme Court on Glaring Lapses in Kolkata Horror | Top Quotes

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor inside the premises of state-run RG Kar Medical Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. A three-judge bench led by CJI Chandrachud heard the case amid massive uproar by doctor fraternity who are demanding justice for the victim and safety of fellow doctors.

The top court pulled up the state authorities over delay in filing the FIR and expressed his concerns over the circulation of the name, photo and video clip of the Kolkata rape victim. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appeared on behalf of West Bengal government.

Here are the top quotes from SC hearing:

• "Why we decided to take suo motu though high court was hearing it because this is not just a case of a horrific murder in kolkata hospital.. but this is about systemic issue about safety of doctors across India," the top court said.
• "Regarding Kolkata, we are deeply concerned that the name of the victim and the photo, video of the deceased is published all across media.. the graphic shows her body which was after the incident.. there are judgments of the court which says names of sexual survivors cannot be published," the SC said.
• "After the crime was detected early hours of morning, the principal tried to pass this off as a suicide and parents were not allowed to see the body and until late night there was no FIR."
• "How did the principal try to pass this off as a suicide. The body was passed to parents in evening for cremation... then next day doctors are protesting and a mob invaded the hospital and critical facilities were damaged and what was Kolkata Police doing? the crime scene is in the hospital. police has to protect the crime scene ...What are they doing."
• "When the conduct of the principal is under scrutiny how was the principal appointed as a principal of another college immediately. CBI needs to file a status report on this Thursday and let it apprise us about the status."
• "We are setting up a national task force which will have doctors from diverse backgrounds who will suggest modalities to be followed all across India so that safety conditions of work is there and young or middle aged doctors are safe in their work environment. We request doctors to resume work and if patients lose their life.. we appeal to doctors that we are here to ensure their safety and security."
• "We will indicate our broad parameters of our intervention. Let not the power of state of West Bengal be unleashed on peaceful protesters. Whether doctors, or civil society.. Let there not be power of state be unleashed on them at all.
• "...On 12:30 am on aug 15 a large mob vandalised the emergency ward and other areas of the hospital. Following this IMA called for nationwide withdrawal of emergency services for 14 hours. The state was expected to deploy state machinery to maintain law and order and protect crime scene. we are unable to comprehend why the state could not do so."