The Supreme Court on Tuesday, August 20, began hearing the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case and questioned if the nation was waiting for another rape to occur before implementing changes on the ground.

The three-member bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud questioned the West Bengal government on the numerous delays and other procedural lapses pertaining to the case. It also questioned the safety of medical professionals, mainly female workers.

“Medical professions have become vulnerable to violence. Due to ingrained patriarchal biases, women doctors are targeted more. As more and more women join the workforce, the nation cannot wait for another rape for things to change on the ground,” CJI Chandrachud noted. 

“Why was FIR registered three hours after the body was handed over for cremation,” the Supreme Court bench asked. 

The alleged brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor that took place on August 9 in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College has taken the country by storm with nationwide protests from the medical fraternity.

The medic’s body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day.