The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing in the RG Kar rape-murder case till November 2025 while continuing to oversee issues related to doctors’ safety, protests, and the implementation of national medical security protocols.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has deferred the hearing of the suo-motu case concerning the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The hearing has now been scheduled for November 2025.
Background of the Case
The tragic incident shook the nation when the body of the trainee doctor was discovered in a hospital seminar room on August 9, 2024. The accused, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested by Kolkata Police the following day. The heinous crime sparked widespread outrage, particularly in West Bengal, and led to prolonged protests by doctors and citizens alike.
On January 20, 2025, a Kolkata trial court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment till death, providing a sense of justice to the grieving family and the medical community. However, the Supreme Court continues to monitor multiple ancillary issues related to the case, including the regularization of the unauthorised absence of doctors participating in protests.
Supreme Court Oversight
A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma adjourned the hearing, citing a prior engagement with a part-heard matter. During the proceedings, senior advocate Karuna Nandy, representing the Association of Junior and Senior Doctors, highlighted that several doctors who had joined peaceful protests were being summoned for police interrogation and requested an expedited hearing.
Since taking suo-motu notice on August 19, 2024, the Supreme Court has been actively involved in overseeing not just the trial but broader safety concerns for healthcare professionals.
National Task Force and Recommendations
Following the Supreme Court’s directions, a National Task Force (NTF) was constituted on August 20, 2024, to develop protocols ensuring the safety and security of medical professionals. The NTF’s report, submitted as part of the Central Government’s affidavit in November 2024, concluded that a separate central law for offences against healthcare workers was unnecessary.
The panel noted that state laws already provide adequate provisions to address offences ranging from minor assaults to serious crimes, including under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The report also highlighted that 24 states have enacted laws specifically addressing violence against healthcare professionals, clearly defining “medical professionals” and “healthcare institutions.”
Investigation and Current Status
Initially handled by Kolkata Police, the case was transferred to the CBI on August 13, 2024, after the Calcutta High Court expressed concerns over the preliminary investigation. The CBI filed a chargesheet in October 2024, and the Supreme Court has continued to supervise the proceedings closely.
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