Vrinda Grover, who will now represent the victim’s family, replaces lawyer and CPM Rajya Sabha MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. Grover, known for her advocacy in human rights and women’s rights, had previously represented petitioners against the release of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case and appeared in the Ishrat Jahan case.
![[RG Kar Rape and Murder Case] Vrinda Grover to Represent Victim’s Family at Supreme Court Hearing](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image-2024-09-25T153951.735.png?resize=820%2C461&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: Three prominent lawyers are set to face off against senior advocate Kapil Sibal in the Supreme Court during the upcoming hearing of the RG Kar rape and murder case on October 1.
Vrinda Grover, who will now represent the victim’s family, replaces lawyer and CPM Rajya Sabha MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. Grover, known for her advocacy in human rights and women’s rights, had previously represented petitioners against the release of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case and appeared in the Ishrat Jahan case.
Joining Indira Jaising and Karuna Nundy, Grover completes the trio of female lawyers representing doctors involved in the high-profile rape and murder case that occurred inside a prominent state-run medical college in Calcutta.
Vrinda Grover had represented petitioners opposing the release of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case from the 2002 Gujarat riots. She has also appeared in the Ishrat Jahan case, along with several other cases related to violations of women’s rights and human rights.
During the last hearing on September 17, both Jaising and Nundy questioned the Mamata Banerjee government’s move to deploy 1,514 private security guards at state-run healthcare facilities. This prompted Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud to express concern.
“The accused was a volunteer from a contractual workforce, trained for just seven days. How can you ensure safety?” CJI Chandrachud remarked after Nundy highlighted that the accused in the case was a civic volunteer. “
The government’s guidelines mention recruitment through outsourcing agencies, but are psychological assessments conducted for these hires? The issue lies in entrusting security to contractual staff. Why is the government pursuing this?”
Kapil Sibal initially argued that all recruitment procedures were being properly followed but had to withdraw after Karuna Nundy raised concerns over the restrictions on night duty imposed by the state government following the RG Kar incident.
“How can you say women cannot work at night? Why restrict the duties of female doctors? They don’t seek concessions; they want equal opportunities. Women are prepared to work the same shifts. Mr. Sibal, the solution is to provide adequate security,”
remarked Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
Sibal is now set to face Vrinda Grover, a seasoned advocate known for her legal battles in both Indian and international courts.
Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, who was earlier representing the victim’s family, commented,
“I have nothing to say on this. It’s the family’s decision. I have withdrawn from the case.”
The RG Kar case has captivated much of Bengal, with junior doctors expressing disappointment over the Supreme Court postponing the next hearing. A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Chandrachud, Justice Manoj Misra, and Justice J.B. Pardiwala, has been overseeing the matter.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), tasked with investigating the case that has shocked both Calcutta and the nation, has been submitting progress reports to the Supreme Court in sealed covers. At the last hearing, Chief Justice Chandrachud described the CBI’s findings as “deeply disturbing.”
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