The West Bengal government assured the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the State Chief Minister has assured that no punitive or adverse action will be taken against the junior doctors who return to their duties following their protest.
Junior doctors were protesting over the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College.
The agitating junior doctors also told the Supreme Court that they had no problem resuming their work, if confidence-building measures are in place, as decided between them and the Chief Minister on September 16. Senior lawyer Indira Jaisingh, who appeared for the junior doctors, said they would hold a general body meeting, likely today, to discuss returning to work.
The three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud took on record the submissions made by the West Bengal government. It further noted that status report was filed on September 17 by Satyajit Singh (CBI) regarding the case.
The court ruled that it would not be just to disclose the leads of the CBI at this point in time as that would increase the complexity of the investigation. A letter from the father of the deceased, along with that sense of genuine concerns conveyed by the parents, also reached the court.
" keeping in mind the genuine concern, we are of the view that the inputs be adequately taken by the IO," the court stated.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected to the refusal of Wikipedia to remove the victim's name and picture. In answer to this, the Supreme Court directed Wikipedia to immediately remove the victim's name and photo because disclosing her identity goes against the governing principles of rape and murder cases.
"The ruling principle is that the identity of the victim in rape and murder shall not be disclosed. Wikipedia shall therefore comply with the previous order passed," the Supreme Court ordered.
In another development in the case, the apex court dismissed an intervenor's application seeking the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing the state government's failure in handling the case.
Reprimanding the intervenor, the CJI said, "This is not a political forum. You are a member of the bar. We are not here to see what you feel about a political functionary. Your IA (Intervention Application) is not our remit. Look, I am sorry, else I will have removed you from this court."
The apex court also considered the status report of CBI and is said to be satisfied with the line of investigation which was being followed. It was further reported that the probe was "trying to find out the truth and absolute truth."
Important evidence had come to the fore in relation to the arrest of SHO.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the West Bengal government requested the Supreme Court to stop live telecast of the proceedings as there was distressing deficiency of dignity in doing so as it was tarnishing lawyers' reputation and even posed a threat.
The CJI refused to accept the plea and said that the issue was of "public interest," but assured Sibal that court will intervene if any threats are issued to lawyers or other people.
The court also directed the CBI to file a status report on the ongoing probe into alleged financial irregularities in medical departments.
The bench was hearing the R G Kar case, having taken suo motu cognisance of the matter.
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