Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: The Supreme Court asked the CBI to file a fresh report by September 17 in a case related to the rape and murder of 31-year-old trainee doctors at the state-run Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing the matter.
The CBI submitted its status report on the investigation to the bench. The judges reviewed the report, which was provided in a sealed envelope.
23 people died during doctors' protest: Bengal govt in SC
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court that 23 people had died because doctors were on strike, and the state health department submitted a report on the same. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said he was not served a copy of the state health department's report.
During the hearing, CJI inquired about the distance between the residence of the Principal of RG 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 registration of the report of the unnatural death. Sibal reported that the death certificate was issued at 1:47 PM, but the police station entry for the unnatural death was made at 2:55 PM. The court also asked about the timing of the search and seizure, with Sibal noting it occurred from 8:30 PM to 10:45 PM.
The court also inquired whether CCTV footage related to the incident was handed over to the CBI. Mehta confirmed that four clips totaling 27 minutes were provided. The CBI has decided to send the samples to AIIMS and other central forensic labs for further analysis.
SC on security of CISF
During the hearing, the SG also raised concerns about security personnel at RG Kar Medical College. The Supreme Court then ordered that a senior state home department officer and a senior CISF officer ensure that all three CISF companies receive accommodation nearby.
Additionally, the court directed that all requisitions needed by CISF personnel be compiled today and that security gadgets be provided by 9 pm.
What top court had said in earlier hearings?
On August 22, the court reprimanded the Kolkata Police for the delay in registering the unnatural death case. The court also appealed to the protesting doctors to return to work, stating that "justice and medicine" cannot be stopped. Moreover, it said it was issuing all necessary directions to ensure their safety.
The Supreme Court termed the rape and murder of the doctor as "horrific" and issued several directives in response. These included the formation of a 10-member National Task Force to develop a protocol aimed at ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Hearing a suo-motu case related to the rape and murder of the medic in Kolkata, the apex court had expressed concern over the lack of workplace safety in healthcare institutions and said the country cannot wait for rape or killing for real changes to take place on the ground.
On August 9, a medic on duty was raped and murdered inside a state-run hospital. The medic's body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department on August 9.
A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the probe from Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. The horrific incident sparked nationwide outrage.
(With PTI inputs)
