The parents of a rape-murder victim from Kolkata moved the High Court, alleging that the investigation into the case has been “compromised.” Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, heading a single-judge bench, said the case is currently with the Supreme Court. The High Court explained that it could only hear the matter after confirming whether the Supreme Court is supervising the investigation. The victim’s parents are seeking a fair inquiry and justice for their daughter.
Kolkata: The parents of a 31-year-old doctor, who was raped and murdered while on duty at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, approached the Calcutta High Court due to concerns regarding the CBI’s investigation.
They are seeking the court’s intervention in a case that has deeply affected the nation.
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, sitting on a single-judge bench, noted that the matter is currently before the Supreme Court and that the bench can only hear it once it is clear whether the Supreme Court is supervising the investigation.
The next hearing may take place around January 15.
In their petition, the doctor’s parents expressed being “aggrieved” and “dissatisfied” with the central agency’s handling of the rape-murder case.
They highlighted,
“Relevant witnesses who were present with the daughter of the petitioners on the night of the incident have not been included in the witness list and have not been questioned to date.”
The petition asserts,
“From the entirety of the examination and investigation, it is evident that the trial is being conducted in a manner aimed at implicating only one individual, accused Sanjay Roy, while excluding other suspects. The post-mortem report indicates that Sanjay Roy cannot be the sole perpetrator of the crime.”
Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, arrested by the Kolkata Police and charged with the rape and murder of the doctor. His custody transferred to the CBI following a court order that shifted the investigation to the central agency.
The parents further noted that the CBI has not filed a supplementary chargesheet that names Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, and Abhijeet Mondal, the officer-in-charge of the local police station.
Both Ghosh and Mondal were granted bail on December 13 after the CBI failed to submit a chargesheet within the 90-day period. While Mondal has been released, Ghosh remains in jail due to a separate financial irregularities case.
The parents stated that, “although the trial court is proceeding swiftly as per the Supreme Court’s directives, they believe the investigation has been compromised.”
They argued,
“Unless further investigation is conducted, the case cannot reach a logical conclusion, and other suspects will remain unaffected due to the current investigative approach. Once the trial concludes, the petitioners will have no remedy, and justice will be compromised.”
The 31-year-old doctor, a postgraduate trainee, was discovered raped and murdered in a seminar room of the state-run hospital on the morning of August 9. This tragic incident ignited a nationwide discussion about the safety of women in the workplace and the urgent need for stronger protections for healthcare professionals on duty.