On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sharply criticized the West Bengal government for its recent directive that barred female doctors from working night shifts at state-run hospitals. This notification was issued following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, who was hearing the case suo moto, questioned the state government’s decision. Addressing the Bengal government’s counsel, Kapil Sibal, CJI Chandrachud asked why the government sought to impose such restrictions on female doctors. He emphasized that women do not seek concessions and should not be limited by such measures.

“How can you say women cannot work at night? Why impose restrictions on women doctors? They are willing to work the same shifts as their male counterparts,” CJI Chandrachud said, as reported by India Today.

The Chief Justice asserted that the focus should be on enhancing security rather than restricting women’s work hours. He directed the West Bengal government to amend its notification, stressing that it is the state’s duty to ensure proper security measures for all employees. “You cannot restrict women from working at night. Pilots, army personnel, and others also work night shifts,” he added.

Additionally, during the hearing, the Supreme Court instructed Wikipedia to remove the name of the rape-murder victim from its platform.