Centre seeks SC action against West Bengal for non-cooperation with CISF in RG Kar Medical College

New Delhi (India), September 3 (ANI): The central government has moved the Supreme Court raising concerns that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at RG Kar Medical College are facing serious difficulties in discharging their duties due to lack of accommodation, security arrangements and inadequate transport.

In its petition, the Centre has asked the Supreme Court to direct the West Bengal government to fully cooperate with the CISF and ensure full compliance with the court’s order of August 20. The Centre has warned that failure to comply with the order may result in contempt of court proceedings for wilful disobedience of the order.

CISF personnel have been deployed at RG Kar Medical College, including the hostels where the resident doctors stay, to ensure their safety. Two CISF companies, totaling 184 personnel, including 54 women under one female officer, have been deployed in three shifts from August 22, 2024.

After conducting a comprehensive survey of the security requirements around the hospital and hostels, the CISF had asked the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, on August 21, 2024, to arrange accommodation, including separate quarters for 54 women staff, as well as vehicles and security gadgets. The Centre had informed the Supreme Court that till now, the Kolkata Police and the hospital administration had been able to provide only some vehicles and security gadgets.

“The number of vehicles and other logistic support sought by the CISF was much more. Moreover, the Kolkata Police did not provide any accommodation or security gadgets, which was its duty as per the undertaking given before the Court,” the Centre said in its application.

The Centre further highlighted that the lack of accommodation, security gadgets and transport is causing considerable hardship to CISF personnel, especially the women contingent who have to commute from different locations. This situation is considered to be highly detrimental, considering the current circumstances in West Bengal.

“The CISF personnel deployed at RG Kar Hospital are facing serious hardships due to lack of accommodation and basic security infrastructure. The soldiers are currently staying at the CISF SMP, Kolkata despite the constraints faced by the host unit. The travel time from SMP, Kolkata to RG Kar Hospital is almost an hour one way, which hampers effective discharge of duties and quick mobilisation of CISF soldiers in emergency situations,” the application stated.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has raised the matter with the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal vide a letter dated 2nd September 2024, seeking appropriate logistical and security arrangements.

The Centre further said that the state government has not given any response to provide adequate support to CISF personnel.

The Centre argued that the West Bengal government’s inaction, despite repeated requests, reflects a systemic problem where non-cooperation with central agencies acting on court orders has become the norm.

The Centre said the state government’s deliberate disobedience to the Supreme Court orders is not only disrespectful but also violative of constitutional and moral principles.

The Centre concluded by saying that due to the unexpected, unjustified and inexcusable actions of the State Government, it was forced to approach the Supreme Court. The Centre urged the Court to direct the West Bengal Government to cooperate with the CISF so that its personnel can discharge their duties without any inconvenience. (ANI)