Kolkata Rape-Murder Case

The Supreme Court on Thursday, August 22, is set to resume hearing pleas in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata at 10:30 am today. The Central Bureau of Investigation will also submit its status report on the case.

On the orders of the Supreme Court on August 20, the CBI will present the report of the investigation in a sealed cover before Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

The Supreme Court, taking suo motu cognizance of the Kolkata rape-murder case, had asked the CBI to submit a status report on its investigation on August 22. The CBI was also scheduled to look into the mob vandalism which had occurred at the hospital and provide all details.

The Supreme Court had criticised the West Bengal government for mishandling the case and also asked them to submit a report on the mob which had entered the hospital, which was the scene of the crime, during a peaceful protest.

The CBI, meanwhile, grilled former RG Kar hospital principal Sandip Ghosh for the sixth consecutive day.

As protests continue across the country, a national taskforce has also been set up by the Supreme Court to look into the larger issue of ensuring safety for medical professionals, especially women.

Doctors' organisations, who have been striking till now, have promised to inform and cooperate with the national taskforce and have also asked for a central law on the issue.

The task force has been ordered to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.

The protesting doctors and students welcomed the court’s order on deploying Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor happened on August 9, after the midnight violence on August 15. But a section of students said they hoped the Supreme Court would arrange better security as the mob violence has left doctors and students traumatised who have fled considering personal safety. “We have to address how the deployment will be implemented and what it would mean for practising doctors at the hospital and what security measures are being taken elsewhere,” a doctor said.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud Tuesday (August 20, 2024) heard the case of rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The higher court constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a national protocol to ensure the safety and facilities of doctors. The task force is asked to submit an interim report in three weeks and a final one in two months. The bodies representing the doctors throughout the countries accepted the SC’s decision to form the force. The bench said, “the nation cannot wait for another rape and murder in order to bring in safety laws for medical professionals and doctors”.

Protests are taking place all over India by medical practitioners as well as several other sections of society. The three-judge bench warned the West Bengal government against “unleashing” their might on the protesters who are expressing their grief and protests. “We are very, very concerned. Let the power of the State of West Bengal not be unleashed on peaceful protestors,” Chief Justice Chandrachud cautioned West Bengal, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal.

Bengal Governor visits doctor’s residence

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Wednesday paid a visit to the residence of the woman doctor who was raped-murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Mr. Bose, who returned from Cuttack, went to the doctor’s residence and spoke to her parents.