Agartala: The Tripura High Court has directed the state police to record statements and conduct an identification parade (TI) to identify persons who had attacked West Tripura district surveillance officer Sangita Chakraborty and her medical team when she went to the COVID care centre for admission of patients afflicted with the disease with their newborn babies.
Justice Arindam Lodh was hearing the anticipatory bail petition by the additional government advocate Karnajit De, who was under treatment at the corona care centre when the incident took place.
After hearing the facts and arguments the court opined that this kind of act and commission are not only detrimental to the sentiment, safety and security of the doctors and her staff, the frontline warriors of the nation, but also detrimental to the interest of the entire society. He added, there was no “reasonable apprehension” that the petitioner would be arrested and ordered the TI parade.
“Needless to say, Doctors are in the frontline of the battle against Coronavirus pandemic, which has now affected lakhs of people and claimed many lives in the country with further reports that para-medical staff and Doctors getting affected by COVID, the focus has now shifted to those brave souls. Our law makers in their own wisdom and after well thought consideration have described the Doctor, para-medical staff, their associates and the police forces as the frontline warriors for their sincere and devoted dedication and constant fight against the deadly disease engulfed in the entire country. Further, they are the “first line defence of the country” in the fight against Coronavirus. It is even reported that many
Doctors and nurses have been complaining of fatigue, dehydration and headache due to grueling schedule as they are to work non-stop for seven to eight hours in one go, without any break. They have always taken all kinds of risk not only on their own shoulders but also upon their family members and even to their kids and their old aged parents,” noted the Court in its Order.
An FIR was filed by Dibyendu Bikash, on behalf of the department of health services. The All Tripura Government Doctors Association has demanded exemplary punishment for the patients who abused and spat on Chakraborty when she was on duty.
Read Also: Delhi riots: Delhi HC allows trial court’s 60-day extension for police probe
The Court further added, “Keeping in view the object of bringing the Ordnance 2020 and the seriousness of the complaint as lodged by the Director of Health Services, Government of Tripura, I direct the Investigating Officer to record confessional statement of the victim Dr. Sangita Chakraborty and her supporting staff under Section 164(5) of the Cr. P.C. within 24 hours, however, at the convenience of the said Doctor and her other associates. The Investigating officer is further directed to arrange for T.I. parade, if necessary, to identify the real offenders. Learned Addl. P.P. is requested to produce the case diary on 05.08.2020 to find out the reasonable apprehension and accusation, if any, against the petitioner.”
The court has ordered to list this petition on August 5 for further hearing.
Read the order here;
tripura– India Legal Bureau