Separate Central Law To Deal With Offences Against Medical Professionals Not Required

Source: https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/separate-central-law-to-deal-with-offences-against-medical-professionals-not-required-national-task-force-to-supreme-court-275462

The National Task Force (NTF), constituted by the Supreme Court following the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case, recommended against the need for a central law to protect healthcare professionals. It opined that existing state laws and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sufficiently address violence against medical staff. The NTF noted that 24 states have special laws for such offences, with minor offences covered by state laws and major crimes addressed by BNS. Chaired by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the NTF proposed measures to improve hospital safety, including deploying trained security personnel, enhancing night-shift protocols, installing CCTVs, and ensuring swift FIR registrations. It also suggested senior residents be present during night shifts to enhance emergency unit safety.