The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will hear on October 1 a suo motu case regarding the rape and murder of a resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
This case was initiated amidst ongoing protests by doctors in West Bengal.
During the day’s proceedings, a lawyer representing one of the parties requested the bench, consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala, to postpone the hearing, originally scheduled for September 27, due to urgent circumstances. The court agreed to list the matter for October 1.
On September 17, the Supreme Court expressed deep concern over the findings in a status report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning the rape and murder case but refrained from disclosing details, citing the need to protect the integrity of the investigation. The court also sought a status report from the CBI on the alleged financial irregularities involving the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, Sandip Ghosh, who is currently in jail.
The court emphasized that the CBI should be allowed sufficient time to conduct a thorough investigation, stating that the findings were alarming. Addressing claims about discrepancies in the seizure list and crime scene sketch, the court reassured that the CBI was actively investigating the case.
The Supreme Court also requested junior doctors protesting in West Bengal to resume their duties and noted the state government’s assurance that no punitive actions would be taken against them. Following a letter from the victim’s father, the court directed the CBI to consider his “valuable” inputs during their investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the CBI would maintain communication with the victim’s parents to address their concerns.
The doctor’s body, which showed severe injuries, was discovered on August 9, and a civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police the next day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation to the CBI, which took over the case on August 14.
(With inputs from agency)
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