The Calcutta High Court directed the parents of the trainee doctor raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College in 2024 to approach the trial court for permission allowing their newly appointed lawyer to visit the crime scene, except the seminar room where the atrocity occurred.
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh’s order came after the CBI raised no objections, though the state vehemently opposed the plea.
Court’s Directive Amid State’s Resistance
Justice Ghosh relegated the matter to the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM), Sealdah, observing that periodic case reports are already before the trial court. The decision followed heated arguments.
“If the parents have reservations about the CBI probe, they must pray for reinvestigation and agree to set aside current findings. The counsel has no right to visit the crime scene without such a plea,” argued the state’s counsel, opposing any “piecemeal” relief.
The victim’s parents, however, secured a partial win as the court acknowledged the CBI’s non-opposition to their request.
Background
The August 2024 rape-murder triggered nationwide outrage, leading to:
CBI Takeover: After WB CID’s initial probe, the High Court transferred the case to CBI, which filed charges against prime accused Sanjoy Roy (now serving life term).
The Supreme Court suo moto framed guidelines for doctors’ workplace safety and monitored investigations.
Institutional Corruption: CBI also probed ex-principal Sandip Ghosh and cops for allegedly doctoring the FIR to call it “suicide,” but delays in chargesheets led to their bail.
The parents must now file a fresh application before the ACJM for crime scene access, a critical step as they seek deeper scrutiny of the investigation. With the state resisting and the CBI neutral, the trial court’s decision could set precedents for victim rights in ongoing probes.
This case continues to test judicial resolve in delivering accountability for institutional crimes.
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