In a bold move, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the disturbing rape and murder case involving a 31-year-old resident doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The top court has not only directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to provide a status report on the ongoing investigation by Thursday, but it has also demanded the State of West Bengal to file a report on the aftermath of the incident, specifically the vandalism that rocked the hospital.
The court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, alongside Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, expressed its dismay over the state’s failure to prevent a large mob from storming the hospital on August 15, just after the crime. The mob, in a frenzied state, vandalized the emergency ward and other critical areas, leading to a nationwide call from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to suspend emergency services for 14 hours.
“The State was expected to deploy its machinery to maintain law and order and protect the crime scene. We are unable to comprehend why this was not done,” the court remarked sternly, signaling its displeasure with the state’s response.
In the wake of this shocking incident, the Court also announced the formation of a National Task Force dedicated to safeguarding the safety and well-being of medical professionals across the country.
As the state was urged to update the court on the investigation into the vandalism, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasized that the State’s report should be shared with the CBI to ensure a thorough and cross-verified investigation. However, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the State, expressed reservations about sharing this information immediately, citing concerns over potential misinformation spreading on social media.
“Doctors are protesting, and a mob invaded the hospital. Critical facilities were damaged. What was Kolkata Police doing? The crime scene is in the hospital. The police must protect it,” the Chief Justice stated, questioning the state’s actions.
The Court was informed that 37 individuals had been arrested, and 50 First Information Reports (FIRs) had been filed in connection with the vandalism. However, Mehta argued that filing 50 FIRs for a single incident could be seen as a tactic to dilute the investigation.
As the hearing progressed, tensions surfaced between the state’s representatives and the Solicitor General, particularly over the transparency of the investigation. The Court is set to revisit the matter on August 22, as it continues to press for accountability and justice in this deeply troubling case.
