The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and is scheduled to hear the case on August 20. This development comes amidst rising public outcry and demands for swift justice in the case.
As per the cause list for August 20 posted on the apex court’s website, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the matter on Tuesday. The case is officially titled ‘In Re: Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and related issue.’
The alleged brutal rape and murder of the junior doctor inside a seminar hall at the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests, with various groups calling for a thorough and impartial investigation. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of medical professionals in public healthcare institutions.
The body of the postgraduate trainee, which bore severe injury marks, was discovered in the seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department on August 9. Following this discovery, the Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer in connection with the case the next day. The police, however, have been under scrutiny, with critics questioning the efficacy and transparency of their investigation.
On August 13, the Calcutta High Court intervened and ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI commenced its probe on August 14, bringing in its expertise to ensure that justice is served. This decision was made while the high court was hearing multiple petitions, including one filed by the victim’s parents, who demanded a court-monitored investigation to ensure impartiality.
In a strongly worded observation, the high court condemned the mob violence that erupted at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, describing it as a glaring failure of the state machinery. On August 16, the court directed both the police and hospital authorities to submit affidavits detailing the situation on the ground. The court expressed disbelief that police intelligence failed to anticipate the assembly of a mob of 7,000 people, as claimed by the state’s lawyer, and questioned the preparedness of the authorities to handle such a large gathering.
The case has drawn widespread attention, not only due to the heinous nature of the crime but also because of the broader implications it holds for the safety of healthcare workers and the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in protecting them.
