Kolkata doctor case: Contempt proceedings should be initiated against Bengal government officials… Why did the Centre request SC?

New Delhi : After the much talked about and shameful Kolkata doctor case, the Supreme Court had decided on August 20 to deploy CISF in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. But now CISF claims that it is not getting cooperation from the West Bengal government. Now the central government has reached the Supreme Court on this issue and has requested to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the West Bengal officials. The Union Home Ministry argues that the officials are ‘non-cooperative’ in implementing the court’s order given on August 20 and 22. The Union Home Ministry has told the Supreme Court that the West Bengal government is adopting an ‘uncooperative attitude’ towards CISF, which provides security in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The apex court had entrusted the responsibility of security to CISF after the brutal rape and murder of a doctor in the hospital premises. The Home Ministry termed it as ‘deliberate disobedience of Supreme Court orders’ and said that repeated meetings were held with the Kolkata Police Commissioner by high-ranking CISF officials. The Home Ministry also wrote a letter to the state’s Chief Secretary, but despite this, ‘there has been no response from the state government’ to provide adequate accommodation and security equipment to the paramilitary force personnel.

Describing the situation as tense, the Home Ministry said that at a time when the safety of doctors, especially women doctors and healthcare professionals is of top priority, the non-cooperative attitude of the state government is not only surprising but also a clear violation of the Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court had directed the deployment of CISF with the consent of the state government. The Home Ministry said, ‘West Bengal’s inaction despite repeated requests is a symptom of a systematic disease, where such non-cooperation with central agencies working under court orders is common. This is not only contempt, but also against all constitutional and moral principles that a state should follow.’

The Centre has accused the Mamata Banerjee government of deliberately adopting an uncooperative attitude and creating hurdles and jeopardising the suo motu proceedings of the Supreme Court. The Home Ministry said that on the orders of the Supreme Court, two companies of CISF comprising 184 personnel including 54 women led by a woman officer have been deployed at RG Kar Hospital since August 22. Since no arrangement for their stay near the hospital was made by the state government, the jawans are staying at the CISF campus and travel an hour to reach the hospital.

The Home Ministry said that despite the ministry taking up the issue with the state chief secretary for adequate transport facilities and safety equipment, there has been no response from the state government. “Due to lack of accommodation, non-availability of safety equipment and transport, the personnel on duty, especially women personnel, are facing a lot of difficulties in performing their duties after travelling from various places to reach the hospital,” the Home Ministry said.