In response to the Supreme Court’s suo motu petition concerning the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a fresh status report by next week.
During today’s proceedings, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal informed the Court that the West Bengal Government had filed a status report indicating that 23 people had died when doctors were not present. He also noted that the CBI had submitted its status report.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, leading a bench, inquired about the distance between the residence of the Principal of RG Kar Medical College and the hospital. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responded that it is approximately 15-20 minutes away.
The Supreme Court sought clarification on the timing of the report on the unnatural death. Sibal reported that the death certificate was issued at 1:47 PM, while the police report was filed at 2:55 PM. The Court also requested details on the timing of the search and seizure, which Sibal said occurred between 8:30 PM and 10:45 PM.
The Court asked whether CCTV footage related to the incident had been handed over to the CBI. Mehta confirmed that four clips totaling 27 minutes were provided. The CBI plans to send the samples to AIIMS and other central forensic labs for further analysis.
Concerns were raised during the hearing about security personnel at RG Kar Medical College. The Supreme Court ordered that a senior state home department officer and a senior CISF officer ensure that all three CISF companies receive accommodation nearby. The Court also directed that all requisitions for CISF personnel be compiled by today and that security gadgets be provided by 9 PM.
Last month, the Supreme Court had criticized the West Bengal police over several issues related to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital incident. The Court expressed concerns about delays in filing the First Information Report (FIR), the handling of the deceased doctor’s body, and the failure to protect medical staff during a mob attack.
A bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, expressed serious concerns about the case’s handling. The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of the doctor, questioning the delay in lodging the FIR.
The Court noted that the FIR was registered at 11:45 PM, more than three hours after the body was handed over to the family for cremation at 8:30 PM. The Court remarked, “If women cannot go to work and be safe, we are denying them the basic right to equality. We have to do something.”
The Court also criticized the hospital’s initial response, questioning why the incident was initially treated as a suicide. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal confirmed it was a murder case and highlighted the delay in registering the FIR.
Additionally, the Court learned that police officers stationed at the hospital fled during the attack, leaving medical staff vulnerable. Senior Advocate Aprajita Singh reported that many doctors have since left the hospital due to safety concerns.
The Supreme Court then called for increased security at the hospital and urged medical professionals across India to return to work.
(Inputs from ANI)