In the ongoing case involving the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is on its second day of hearing.
During today’s proceedings, the Court directed Wikipedia to remove any content disclosing the victim’s name and photo, emphasizing the importance of protecting the victim’s identity amid the sensitive nature of the case. This directive aims to prevent further distress to the victim’s family and ensure privacy during the investigation.
Meanwhile, following discussions between the West Bengal government and the protesting junior doctors, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the replacement of several key officials. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police (North), and two senior health department officials will be replaced. These changes address one of the junior doctors’ main demands, which also include increased security, elimination of the ‘threat culture’ in state-run hospitals, and the removal of specific officials.
The negotiations were prompted by an email from the chief secretary referring to this as “the fifth and final time” the state would reach out to the junior doctors’ delegation. In response to the doctors’ request for live streaming of the talks, the government allowed the delegation to bring their own stenographers and agreed to provide a signed copy of the meeting minutes.
Although the junior doctors have welcomed the decision to replace the officials, they have announced that they will continue their ‘cease work’ and demonstrations at the Swasthya Bhawan (health department headquarters) until all promised changes are implemented. They are defying a Supreme Court directive to resume duties by 5 pm on September 10. Senior lawyer Indira Jaising will represent the West Bengal Junior Doctors Forum in the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings.