Today(12th August), a division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam directed that a PIL seeking a CBI investigation into the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with similar petitions, will be heard on Tuesday.
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KOLKATA: Tomorrow(on 13th August), The Calcutta High Court will hear three Public Interest Litigations (PILs) seeking Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident has shocked the community, sparking demands for a comprehensive and impartial investigation.
The victim, a postgraduate trainee doctor, was found dead inside the seminar hall of the hospital located in North Kolkata on Friday. Initial autopsy reports have suggested that she was sexually assaulted before her life was tragically taken. This development has fueled demands for justice, leading to multiple petitions being filed in the court.
Today(on12th August), a division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, along with Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, directed that these petitions, which include similar pleas for a thorough investigation, will be heard together on Tuesday(on 13th August). The petitioner’s counsel argued strongly for transferring the investigation from the local police to the CBI, citing concerns over the current handling of the case.
Counsel Phiroze Edulji, representing the petitioner, expressed serious doubts about the integrity of the ongoing police investigation.
He stated-
“The police are conducting a flawed investigation.”
and assured the court that he would present detailed arguments during the hearing. Edulji’s claims underscore the widespread mistrust in the current investigative process, which he alleges may be compromised.
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In connection with the case, Kolkata Police have arrested a suspect, who has been charged with both rape and murder. However, Edulji’s claims suggest that there might be more to the story. He alleged that there is an ongoing attempt to cover up the truth behind the incident. Drawing a chilling parallel, he mentioned the case of Dhananjay Chatterjee, who was executed in 2004 for the rape and murder of a young girl under similar circumstances. Edulji argued that, much like in the Chatterjee case, the current investigation might be overlooking critical aspects or potentially skewing the narrative.
Further complicating the case is the fact that the surathal (inquest) report detailing the circumstances of the woman doctor’s death has already been made public. This disclosure has raised significant concerns about the confidentiality and sensitivity with which the case is being handled.
In a troubling violation of legal norms, Edulji pointed out that the victim’s name has been disclosed publicly, which should not have happened under any circumstances. He requested the court to issue a directive to ensure that the victim’s name is removed from all social media platforms, emphasizing the need to protect the dignity and privacy of the deceased.
