On August 20, 2024, the Indian Supreme Court created a task force to improve the safety of healthcare workers in response to the devastating rape and murder of a 31-year-old female trainee doctor in Kolkata. The crime, which occurred on August 9th at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has sparked national outrage. The accused, Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, has been taken under custody. His arrest has prompted widespread protests and demands for justice. As part of the new task force’s reforms, the Court has ordered measures including better lighting across hospital campuses, the creation of separate resting rooms for female staff, and quarterly safety audits. The Supreme Court expects an update on these provisions within three weeks, and paramilitary forces have already been deployed to the hospital to protect female doctors.

The Court’s actions come amid growing public unrest, with leaders across India speaking out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled crimes against women as an “unpardonable sin,” while Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud stressed that the safety of doctors, especially those that are women, is of national importance. He warned that “The nation cannot wait for another tragedy before taking action.” However, dissatisfaction remains. A delegation of resident doctors met with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 23, hoping for answers about the investigation, but left feeling disillusioned.

“We were given no clear timeline for justice,” said Dr. Kinjal, a representative of the delegation. Thulasi K Raj, a Supreme Court lawyer, noted that there are limits to what the judiciary can achieve alone, stating, “We need to hold the executive branch accountable for enforcing laws and taking real action to prevent assaults on women” as relying on the Court’s verdict to solve this crisis is ineffective.

Despite the creation of the task force, these measures fall short of addressing the root problems. The deployment of paramilitary forces may temporarily reassure staff, but it is unlikely to provide lasting solutions. The repeated cases of sexual violence against women reveal a deep crisis, one that requires stronger law enforcement, not just judicial intervention. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), representing 400,000 doctors, held a 24-hour strike in protest, demanding stricter protections for women doctors.

“Pedestrian working conditions, inhuman workloads, and violence in the workplace are the reality,” the IMA said in a letter to the Health Minister. Corruption within hospitals further complicates matters, as evidenced by the CBI’s recent investigation into the former principal of RG Kar Medical College. The constant cycle of violence and corruption shows that perpetrators are undeterred by existing laws, and that these actions are reactive rather than preventative. The presence of paramilitary forces may create an illusion of security, but it fails to address the underlying societal issues that prevent criminals from following the rule of law.

Sexual violence against women in India is nothing new. One such incident was the brutal 2012 gang rape and murder of a young physiotherapy student in New Delhi, which later led to creation of the Nirbhaya Act. Other examples included acid attacks, stalking and assault — which have been provided with a more stringent punishment under the new act. Even with these changes, acts of rape and murder occur rampantly. Since 2012, except for the pandemic year of 2020, rapes have been over reported at more than 30 thousand per annum by National Crime Records Bureau. The fact that sexual violence is still continuing even after legal changes has raised questions over the effectiveness of laws like the Nirbhaya Act when it comes to controlling rampant rape incidents. The recent task force formed by the Supreme Court is evidence of an attempt to rectify this failure, but it begs the question whether top-down interventions can actually be a safeguard for women.

The crisis of women’s safety extends far beyond hospitals—it is a national issue that requires comprehensive, long-term solutions. India’s healthcare system, already burdened by overcrowding and underfunding, cannot thrive if medical workers do not feel secure in their workplaces. The deployment of paramilitary forces offers only temporary relief. Real progress will require sustained government action, stricter law enforcement, and societal change to ensure that women are safe not only in hospitals but across the country.