Meanwhile, the top court took up a suo motu case, where it proceeded to look into the larger workplace safety concerns for medical professionals, apart from concerns related to the investigation and trial in the RG Kar case.

In previous hearings, the court ordered establishment of a national working group (NTF) to examine the larger issues of safety and dignity of doctors and health professionals and to address gender-based violence against these professionals in the workplace.

The NTF today presented a report with suggestions to protect health professionals from sexual or other violence and to create a safe working environment.

Advocate Kanu Agrawal, representing the central government, informed that the report has short, long and medium term measures.

The court then ordered that the report be circulated to various stakeholders, including all states, so that they could submit their submissions within three weeks.

“All advisors can also provide suggestions on how to improve the report and ways to strengthen recommendations. Tell us what kind of monitoring mechanism can be devised and if it can be implemented, we will direct it that way.” CJI Chandrachud added.

The court today also examined the CBI’s updated status report on the progress of its investigation and asked for a further report after four weeks.

“We have seen that the sixth status report filed by the CBI indicates that…an Additional Sessions Judge framed charges punishable under Sections 64 and 103 of the NBS (rape and murder charges). The next hearing is on November 11. As the investigation is ongoing, we are refraining from commenting. Allow an updated status report to be submitted after four weeks,“, said the Court.