Supreme Court to hear Kolkata doctor murder case today following global protests

PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court is set to hear the case today concerning the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will oversee the proceedings.

This case has ignited widespread protests, both in India and internationally. On Sunday night, thousands took to the streets in Kolkata and cities worldwide, demanding justice for the victim. The protests were part of the “Reclaim the Night” movement, which advocates for the safety and justice of women in public spaces.

Supreme Court’s Previous Interventions

The Supreme Court has been actively involved in this case since August 20, when it labeled the incident as “horrific.” During earlier hearings, the court ordered steps to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, establishing a 10-member National Task Force responsible for creating protocols to safeguard doctors and medical staff across India. The court urged striking doctors, who were protesting in solidarity with the victim, to return to work, emphasizing that “justice and medicine cannot be stopped.”

However, the case faced significant delays, particularly due to the Kolkata Police’s sluggish handling of the investigation. The Supreme Court, during a hearing on August 22, expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the investigation, which led to the Calcutta High Court’s decision on August 13 to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI began its investigation on August 14, and since then, multiple arrests have been made, including that of a civic volunteer and the college’s former principal.

Global and Local Protests

The case has sparked global outrage, with protests taking place across 25 countries in over 130 locations. Major cities like Stockholm, Sydney, and New York witnessed rallies, where members of the Indian diaspora, dressed in black, held vigils, sang in Bengali, and chanted slogans for justice.

In Kolkata, the protests were intense, with thousands of people marching through the streets, holding burning torches, forming human chains, and demanding justice for the victim, who has been symbolically named “Tilottama” or “Abhaya.” A particularly striking display was a 14-kilometre-long human chain, stretching from Shyambazar in North Kolkata to Sodepur. Even rival football fans from East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting came together to show their solidarity.

The victim’s mother spoke at a rally in Kolkata, expressing the profound grief and loss she felt for her daughter, who had dreamed of serving society as a doctor. “Whenever I think about the torment, the pain my daughter endured that night, I shudder. Now, all these protesters are my children,” she said, according to news agency PTI.

Political Clash Between the Centre and West Bengal

The tragedy has also led to a political clash between the central government and the West Bengal state government. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has accused the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of failing to cooperate with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which was tasked with providing security at RG Kar Medical College. The Centre described the state’s non-cooperation as “unpardonable” and indicative of a deeper systemic issue.

The Ministry has filed an application with the Supreme Court, requesting that the court direct the West Bengal government to fully cooperate with the CISF. The Centre has also asked for contempt proceedings against officials who fail to comply with the court’s orders.

As the Supreme Court takes up the case today, all eyes will be on the outcome, as the nation and the global community continue to demand justice for the victim and accountability from those responsible for the crime and its aftermath.

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