Supreme Court Questions Kolkata Police’s Delay in Registering Doctor’s Rape-Murder Case, Assures No Adverse Action Against Protesting Doctors Returning to Work
The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed deep concern over the delay by Kolkata Police in registering the unnatural death of a woman doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court also urged protesting doctors to return to work, assuring them that no punitive actions would be taken once they rejoin.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, heading a bench that included Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, questioned the timing and sequence of the legal procedures carried out by the police. The court found it troubling that the postmortem of the victim was conducted on August 9 between 6:10 pm and 7:10 pm, yet the information about the unnatural death wasn’t reported to Tala police station until 11:30 pm the same night.
The bench remarked, “How is it possible that the post-mortem was completed at 6:10 pm, but the report of unnatural death wasn’t sent until 11:30 pm? This is extremely disturbing.” The court further directed the Kolkata Police officer who first documented the incident to appear at the next hearing and provide details about the timing of the entry.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, informed the court that the most alarming aspect was that the FIR was registered at 11:45 pm, after the victim had already been cremated. Mehta added that the state police initially told the victim’s parents it was a suicide before later claiming it was a murder. He also mentioned that a friend of the victim suspected a cover-up and demanded videography.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court urged the protesting doctors to resume their duties, assuring them that no disciplinary actions would be taken against them. The counsel for resident doctors at AIIMS Nagpur had earlier informed the court that they were facing reprisals for protesting over the Kolkata case.
The bench emphasized the importance of keeping public health infrastructure running and urged doctors to return to work, stating, “Once they return to duty, we will ensure no adverse actions are taken. If there are issues afterward, you can approach us, but first, they need to report back to work.”
The court also expressed empathy for the patients relying on public hospitals and assured that the National Task Force will engage with all stakeholders.
The horrific assault and murder of the junior doctor have sparked protests across the nation. Her body, bearing severe injuries, was discovered in the seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department on August 9. The next day, a civic volunteer was arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with the crime.
On August 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation from Kolkata Police to the CBI, which began its probe on August 14.
(With inputs from agency)
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