Supreme Court Probes Disturbing Rape and Murder Case of Kolkata Doctor

The Supreme Court has begun hearings on a suo motu case regarding the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata. The case has drawn widespread attention, leading to nationwide protests and an investigation transfer to the CBI due to the initial mishandling by Kolkata Police.

The Supreme Court on Monday commenced hearing a suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is hearing the matter.

On August 22, the apex court had criticized the Kolkata Police for delaying the registration of the unnatural death of the woman doctor, who was raped and killed at the RG Kar Hospital, calling it 'extremely disturbing'. The court questioned the sequence of events and the timing of the procedural formalities. The top court had earlier constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Terming the incident 'horrific,' the apex court had strongly criticized the state government over the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands of people to vandalize the state-run facility.

The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests.

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 ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14.

(With inputs from agencies.)