1 week Ago By TOI City Desk
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI ) to submit a fresh status report by next week regarding the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. This directive follows a hearing on Monday, where senior advocate Kapil Sibal informed the court about the West Bengal government's status report, which noted that 23 people had died when doctors were not working. The CBI had also filed a status report.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud inquired about various procedural details connected to the case and sought further clarifications. Chief Justice Chandrachud asked 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 then sought clarification on the timing of the registration of the report of the unnatural death. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal reported that the death certificate was issued at 1.47pm, but the police station entry for the unnatural death was made at 2.
55pm. The Court also questioned the timing of the search and seizure related to the case and was informed that it occurred from 8.30pm to 10.
45pm. "Mehta confirmed that four clips totaling 27 minutes of CCTV footage related to the incident were provided to the CBI. The CBI has decided to send the samples to AIIMS and other central forensic labs for further analysis," the Solicitor General stated.
During the hearing, the Solicitor General also raised concerns about security personnel at RG Kar Medical College. In response, 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 needed by CISF personnel be compiled, and security gadgets be provided by 9pm.
Last month, the Supreme Court questioned the West Bengal police over several issues related to the incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Court addressed concerns about delays in filing the First Information Report (FIR), handing over the body of the deceased doctor to her family, and failing to protect medical staff during a mob attack. The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justice J.
B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra, expressed serious concerns about the handling of the case. The Court took suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder and questioned the West Bengal police about the delay in lodging the FIR.
The Court noted that the FIR was registered at 11.45pm, more than three hours after the body was handed over to the family for cremation at 8.30pm.
"If women cannot go to work and be safe, we are denying them the basic right to equality. We have to do something," the Chief Justice remarked. The Court also criticized the hospital's initial response, questioning why the incident was initially considered a suicide.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal confirmed it was a murder case and added information about 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 stated that many doctors have since left the hospital due to safety concerns.
The Supreme Court had then called for increased security at the hospital and urged medical professionals across India to return to work..
