The Supreme Court asked the CBI to file a fresh status report by September 17 on the investigation into the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. The move comes as the court is trying all ways out to see justice delivered in the high-profile case that led to protests and outrage demanding action.
Forensic Samples Of More Detailed Examination
During the hearing, the CBI told the Supreme Court that the forensic samples collected from the victim’s post-mortem would be sent for further examination at CFSL and AIIMS. SG Tushar Mehta for CBI furnished important information related to the case. He mentioned that the victim, when found at 9:30, was semi-nude, having her jeans and undergarments removed, with injury marks. The forensic test report has brought to the fore the severity of it all, and the CBI has decided to further analyze the samples at AIIMS.
SG Mehta wanted to know that who had collected the samples and how the evidence was handled and preserved, underlining the seriousness of the case. The CBI has attempted to recreate the scene of crime by analyzing the CCTV footage of the entry and exit points of the seminar room.
Court Proceedings-Disagreements between Government
A Bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud while hearing the matter along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, heard an application that has been filed by the Union government and alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government is not cooperating with the Central Industrial Security Force personnel deployed at RG Kar Hospital. This prima facie unravels a larger systemic error in the state administration.
CJI sought an explanation on when the UD number 861 was assigned for unnatural death, and other details. The timing of search and seizure operations by the investigative team also came in for questioning from the Supreme Court, which the counsel appearing for the West Bengal government, Advocate Kapil Sibal explained that it was conducted between 8.30 pm and 10.45 pm after the removal of the body for post-mortem.
Protests And Public Response
The heinous crime has led to protests in Kolkata and elsewhere. On September 8, thousands took to the streets, including former students, clay modellers, rickshaw pullers, and junior doctors, demanding justice and arrest of the accused. Protests have spread to other cities such as Siliguri, Durgapur, and Kharagpur and district towns like Balurghat, Purulia, and Cooch Behar. In Kolkata, junior doctors from the state-run NRS Hospital led a huge rally starting from Sealdah to Esplanade.
Previous Court Actions And Future Developments
Earlier, during the hearing on August 22, the Supreme Court had expressed dissatisfaction over the delay on the part of Kolkata Police, as well as tampering of evidence in the case. The court had appealed to protesting doctors to return to work, saying efforts towards seeking justice must not disrupt medical services.
As the CBI is preparing to submit its fresh status report in the case, the Supreme Court’s continued probe of the case for transparency and justice. The case has remained a constant focus of public and legal scrutiny,
