![[RG Kar Rape-Murder] "Nice Way To Confer Political Backing": CJI Seeks Detailed Report From WB Govt. On Engagement Of Civic Volunteers](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img-2-2.png?fit=686%2C252&ssl=1)
Today, On 15th October, In the RG Kar rape and murder case, the Chief Justice of India criticized the recruitment of civic police volunteers, calling it a “nice way to confer political backing.” The Supreme Court has now sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government regarding the engagement process for these volunteers. The Court’s remarks raise concerns over potential political influence in law enforcement.
While hearing the suo moto case regarding the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, the Supreme Court directed the State of West Bengal to provide comprehensive details on the legal framework, qualifications, deployment, and remuneration of civic volunteers working in state institutions, including hospitals.
The Bench, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, also reviewed the progress of the investigation and security measures, raising concerns over the use of volunteers in sensitive areas.
The Court stated,
“Mr. Dwivedi, we need the following information next time: (1) the legal authority for hiring civic volunteers; (2) their qualifications; (3) the institutions they are assigned to; (4) the daily and monthly payments and budget allocations.”
The Supreme Court directed the State of West Bengal to include in its affidavit the steps taken to ensure civic volunteers are not deployed in sensitive areas such as hospitals, schools, and police stations.
The Court emphasized,
“The affidavit must also detail the selection process being followed,”
Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy informed the Bench that there are currently over 1,500 such volunteers. In response, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud remarked,
“This seems like a convenient way to extend political patronage to select individuals. Let West Bengal provide the data at the next hearing.”
At the beginning of the hearing, Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, presented a progress report on the National Task Force (NTF), stating,
“They are working with utmost seriousness.”
Upon reviewing the CBI’s fifth status report, the Court noted,
“A chargesheet has been filed on October 7, 2024, under Sections 64 and 66 of the BNS against the accused, Sanjay Roy. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) of Sealdah has taken cognizance of the case, with a hearing scheduled for November 4, 2024. The status report also indicates that further investigation into the involvement of others in the alleged rape and murder is ongoing. The CBI has received additional communications related to matters highlighted by the parties, which are under review.”
On September 17, the Supreme Court asked the Health Secretary to explain the procedures followed to ensure hospital security measures. Earlier, on September 9, the Court instructed the West Bengal government to submit the challan form (WB Form 5371) showing details of the dispatch of the body for postmortem in the case of the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, on August 9, 2024. Prior to this, on September 3, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) filed a submission before the Court, highlighting the lack of adequate accommodations and basic facilities for Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed in West Bengal.
The MHA stated,
“Due to the unavailability of accommodations, security equipment, and limited transportation, duty personnel are facing significant challenges, especially female staff.”
The MHA also noted that the issue of insufficient accommodations, including separate quarters for female personnel, and inadequate transport and security equipment, had been raised with the West Bengal Chief Secretary. However, the state government had not responded, which the MHA described as “unexpected” during a critical situation like this.
The MHA added.
“The safety of doctors, particularly female doctors, must be West Bengal’s top priority,”
The MHA criticized the state’s inaction, calling it “symptomatic of a systematic malaise.” It pointed out that despite repeated requests, there had been no cooperation with central agencies operating under the Court’s directives. On August 22, the Supreme Court urged doctors to return to work following the tragic rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee at R.G. Kar Medical College.
During the hearing, Justice Pardiwala voiced concerns over the handling of the case, stating,
“The entire procedure followed by the State Police is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 30-year career.”
Earlier, the Court also expressed dissatisfaction with how the West Bengal authorities managed vandalism at the protest site. In response, the Court ordered the creation of a “National Task Force” to recommend safety measures for medical professionals and directed the deployment of the CISF to protect resident doctors, particularly women, at R.G. Kar Hospital.
The Court further expressed concerns about the absence of institutional safety norms to guard against both physical and sexual violence at medical establishments. On August 20, the Supreme Court, responding to a petition by two lawyers, ordered the immediate removal of all social media content, including photos, videos, and any reference to the trainee doctor who was tragically raped and murdered. On the same day, the Calcutta High Court permitted the continuation of the ‘Abasthan’ protest in response to the incident. Advocate Ujjawal Gaur, a Supreme Court Bar Association member, also written to the Chief Justice of India, seeking immediate intervention in the case.
Recently, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation from the state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following multiple public interest litigations (PILs) requesting an independent agency take over the case.
Previously, the High Court questioned the state government on the urgency behind renovation work near the crime scene, asking why such work was necessary so soon after the incident. The state’s counsel argued that the renovation was unrelated to the crime scene and was part of a new doctor’s restroom project. The Court ordered the state to provide a detailed response by August 20, with the next hearing scheduled for August 21.
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