Kolkata doctor-murder case: Supreme Court reviews CBI’s status report on ongoing probe

PTC News Desk: On Monday, the Supreme Court began hearing a case 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. The case, which the Supreme Court initiated suo motu, is being reviewed by a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also presiding.

During the proceedings, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted its status report on the ongoing investigation, which was presented to the court in a sealed envelope for review. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court that 23 people had died as a result of disruptions caused by ongoing doctor strikes, and he also presented a report from the state health department. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta reported that he had not received a copy of this state health department report.

Supreme Court seeks clarification on the time of registering the report of the unnatural death.

SG Mehta says she is the daughter of all of us.

Senior Advocate Sibal informs SC that the death certificate was given at 1:47 PM, entry of the unnatural death was done at 2:55 PM at…

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2024

Previously, on August 20, the Supreme Court had described the incident as “horrific” and issued directives to address the safety and security of healthcare professionals. These directives included the creation of a 10-member National Task Force to develop safety protocols for doctors and other healthcare workers.

Also Read: Manipur violence: Protesters hold torch rally near Governor’s residence in Manipur

The tragic incident, which occurred on August 9, involved the rape and murder of a young doctor inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College. A civil volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, which has provoked widespread protests across the country.

On August 22, the Supreme Court criticised the Kolkata Police for delays in registering the case and urged protesting doctors to resume their duties, emphasizing that “justice and medicine” must continue without interruption. The Calcutta High Court had previously transferred the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI.

The central government, on September 3, approached the Supreme Court alleging that the Mamata Banerjee-led state government had inadequately supported the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deployed at RG Kar Hospital. The Centre labeled this lack of support as “unpardonable” and requested the court to direct state authorities to fully cooperate with the CISF. The Centre also sought contempt proceedings against state officials for “willful non-compliance” if the order was not followed.

In response to the incident, thousands of protesters gathered in Kolkata on Sunday night, demanding justice for the slain doctor. Demonstrators of all ages took to the streets, forming human chains, writing graffiti, holding torches, singing the national anthem, and waving the Indian tricolour.

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