RG Kar Medical College vandalism: Calcutta HC calls it failure of state machinery, suggests to shut down hospital

Taking strong note of the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata following the horrific rape and murder of a doctor there, the Calcutta High Court has suggested that it should be shut down. The emergency ward, nursing station, medicine store, and parts of the outpatient department of the hospital were vandalized by miscreants on Thursday amid midnight protests by women, condemning the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in the hospital's seminar hall on August 9. Several people, including some policemen, were injured in the violence.

CREDIT: BCCL

'Absolute failure of state machinery'

A division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya called the act an "absolute failure of state machinery" and warned the Bengal government it would order the medical facility to be closed if state police could not protect it and the doctors working there.

CREDIT: BCCL

The court also noted that it was the duty of the government to provide safety to the doctors and nurses working in the hospital and ensure that they were able to carry out their duties with a sense of security.

Also read: RG Kar doc rape-murder: Women in Kolkata, suburbs to march at midnight in protest against brutality

'Produce photographic evidence'

The High Court directed the CBI to submit an interim report on the "pre-planned" vandalism and also sought photographic proof of the safe condition of the seminar room in which the rape victim's body was found.

CREDIT: BCCL

How was so many protesters allowed?

The HC questioned how the police were unaware that a large crowd of 7,000 people had assembled and wondered how they were allowed to do so.

¡°You pass Section 144 of the CrPC orders for any reason. When so much commotion is going on, you should have cordoned the area. 7,000 people can¡¯t come walking,¡± Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said.

CREDIT: REUTERS

According to the police, during the protest on August 14, some 40-50 vandals, who were carrying sticks, bricks, and rods, entered the hospital premises and vandalized property.

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