Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Supreme Court today refused a request to transfer the RG Kar rape-murder case trial outside of West Bengal, firmly rejecting a lawyer’s assertion that the state’s residents were losing trust in the judiciary and police. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, addressing the appeal, stated, “Yes, we have done it in cases like Manipur. But we are not doing anything like that here. No such transfer.”
The bench, which included Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, examined the status report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The report pertained to the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August.
“We have reviewed the sixth status report filed by CBI, indicating that the Additional Sessions judge has framed charges under Sections 64 and 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The next hearing is set for November 11. Given that the investigation is ongoing, we refrain from making any observations. An updated status report should be filed in four weeks,” said Chief Justice Chandrachud, who is set to retire this Sunday.
The Supreme Court also discussed a report by the National Task Force on ensuring the safety of healthcare workers in hospitals. The Chief Justice directed that the report be circulated to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories for their input within three weeks.
Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, representing doctors in West Bengal, raised objections, prompting the Chief Justice to invite her to submit her suggestions formally.
Tensions rose when a lawyer suggested that the people of West Bengal had “lost faith in the judiciary.” Chief Justice Chandrachud firmly rebutted, “Who are you appearing for? Do not make such general statements. There is no such thing at all,” adding that this type of comment amounted to “canteen gossip happening in court.”
The RG Kar incident had sparked nationwide protests, with doctors demanding safer working conditions. The Mamata Banerjee government faced criticism, with accusations of a cover-up. The Calcutta High Court, dissatisfied with the initial police investigation, handed the case over to the CBI. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the matter and censured the hospital administration for its handling of the case. The top court has been overseeing the CBI’s investigation since then. Chief Justice Chandrachud will pass the mantle to Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who will continue to preside over the case after November 12.
