On Tuesday (3rd September), the Union government filed a contempt case against the West Bengal government for hindering CISF security deployed at Kolkata’s state-run RG Kar Hospital in line with the Supreme Court’s order. Notably, Union government has moved the Supreme Court against the Mamata Banerjee government accusing them of not cooperating, and not providing logistical support to the CISF security team.
In its plea, the Centre has pointed out that the on-duty CISF personnel are facing a lot of difficulties in performing duties due to the non-availability of accommodation, security gadgets, and paucity of transportation, particularly for the female contingent. According to the Union government, there are 92 CISF personnel stationed at RG Kar Hospital, including 54 female personnel.
The Centre government further submitted that “the inaction of the West Bengal government”, despite repeated requests, reflects a systemic problem where non-cooperation with central agencies operating under court orders has become the norm. It added that this non-compliance amounts to willful disregard of the Supreme Court’s orders.
In their submission, the Centre government also accused Mamata Banerjee’s government of intentionally “creating obstacles and jeopardising the solution-oriented approach initiated by the Supreme Court”. According to the plea, the Bengal government’s non-cooperation is “unpardonable” and “symptomatic of a systemic malaise“.
The Centre submitted that the state government is willingly not making efforts towards finding a solution to the problem and rather, is causing injustice to the residents of its own.
Consequently, the Centre has urged the top court to issue directions to the West Bengal government to extend full cooperation to the CISF and ensure full compliance, in letter and spirit, with their order dated 20th August or face contempt proceedings for willful non-compliance.
It is pertinent to note that the Supreme Court, on 20th August, directed that CISF personnel be deployed at the RG Kar Hospital to provide security in the wake of the vandalism incident that broke out on the night of 14th August.
The top court had taken suo moto cognisance of the Kolkata trainee doctor’s rape and murder case and during the proceedings, it came down heavily on the state administration over the vandalism incident.
On the night of 14th of August, when females in large numbers took to the streets during ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest, a large mob stormed the RG Kar Hospital and vandalised various areas of the RG Kar Hospital building.
The top court had lambasted the Mamata Banerjee government over the vandalism incident. During the hearing, the top court said, “In the aftermath of the brutal incident and the demonstrations which followed, the State Government was expected to ensure the deployment of the state machinery to prevent a breach of law and order.”
It added, “It was all the more necessary to do so since investigation of the crime which took place in the precincts of the hospital was underway. We are unable to comprehend how the State was not prepared to deal with the incident of vandalisation of the premises of the hospital.”
