High court seeks report from DGP; must appear today

• Health workers should be given the same protection given to the Magistrate, during the production of an accused

KOCHI: The High Court has sought a report from the DGP on the death of Dr. Vandana Das. He was also directed to appear online at 10 am today when the matter will be considered again. The Kottarakkara Judicial First Class Magistrate (One) will inspect the incident site at the Taluk Hospital and submit a report today. A division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Dr. Kauser Edappagath suggested that the CCTV footage including that of the hospital room should be conserved and the taluk hospital superintendent should directly ensure this.

The security precautions taken by the police while producing the accused before the magistrate should be there when they are taken for medical examination as well. The government should disclose its position in this regard.

The government lawyer explained that there was an order for the police to stand aside when the accused were produced for medical examination. The Division Bench asked whether such a course of action was appropriate when producing an accused who is violent. He said that the court should not be blamed because of the previous High Court order. A nightmarish incident has happened.

IMA's lawyer said that the police were watching outside the grill when the accused attacked Vandana. The lawyer of the health university demanded protection for house surgeons and trainee nurses. The Division Bench then directed that interns, house surgeons, PG students etc. in the field of health science education should be given statutory protection. Although it was earlier ordered that a case should be filed by the police within one hour for any small or big attack against hospitals and health workers, it is not known whether it has been fully implemented. The government was also directed to reply in this regard.