India's top court sets up doctors' panel on workplace safety after sexual assault, murder case

The rape and killing of a 31-year-old trainee doctor sparked nationwide protests

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Photo: AFP

By Reuters

Published: Tue 20 Aug 2024, 10:28 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Aug 2024, 10:46 AM

India's Supreme Court ordered on Tuesday the setting up of a national task force of doctors to make recommendations on safety at their workplace, days after the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor sparked nationwide protests.

The court also asked the federal police to submit a report on Thursday on the status of its investigation into the Aug. 9 murder of the trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata.

Doctors across the country have held protests and refused to see non-emergency patients following the crime as part of their action demanding a safer workplace and a swift criminal probe.

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A police volunteer has been arrested and charged with the crime. Women activists say the incident has highlighted how women in India continue to suffer from sexual violence despite tougher laws brought in after the 2012 gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in New Delhi.

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Reuters

Published: Tue 20 Aug 2024, 10:28 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Aug 2024, 10:46 AM

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