Supreme Court Takes Up Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case, Hearing On August 20
Mumbai: The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of the tragic rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is scheduled to hear the case on August 20.
The body of the young doctor was discovered in the hospital’s seminar room on August 9, 2024. The following day, Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer in connection with the crime. However, the Calcutta High Court, expressing dissatisfaction with the police investigation, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case.
On Friday, two Supreme Court lawyers, Ujjawal Gaur and Rohit Pandey, along with Dr. Monica Singh from the Army College of Dental Sciences in Secunderabad, Telangana, wrote separate letters to Chief Justice Chandrachud, urging him to take suo motu cognisance of the incident. The lawyers emphasized the urgency and gravity of the situation, stating that the highest court in the land must intervene to ensure justice is served.
“The nation looks to the judiciary as the ultimate guardian of justice, the last refuge for those whose cries have been silenced by brutality,” the lawyers’ letter stated. They highlighted the victim’s dedication to serving others and called for her death not to be in vain, urging that it galvanizes action to prevent such heinous crimes in the future.
Dr. Monica Singh’s letter further underscored the need for immediate intervention following a series of attacks on medical professionals across the country, with particular reference to the incident at RG Kar Medical College. The letter described the crime as not just a violation of innocent life, but an assault on the very soul of the nation and its ideals of justice and humanity.
Singh’s letter also called for the deployment of Central Forces to protect RG Kar Medical College and its staff, noting that the attacks had severely disrupted hospital operations and created an atmosphere of fear among medical personnel. The letter petition demanded a thorough and impartial investigation into the attacks and sought comprehensive security measures for medical institutions nationwide.
The horrific incident has sparked nationwide protests by doctors and civil society groups, demanding severe punishment for the accused and heightened security for medical professionals. The Supreme Court’s intervention is expected to bring much-needed focus and urgency to the case, with the hearing scheduled for August 20 likely to set the stage for further judicial actions.
The case has highlighted the ongoing vulnerability of medical professionals, who often work under intense pressure and face significant risks. The Supreme Court’s involvement is seen as a critical step in ensuring that justice is served and that steps are taken to protect those who serve on the frontlines of healthcare.
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