[BREAKING] RG KAR Rape-Murder Case Slips Again in CJI Led Bench of Supreme Court | Next Hearing After 3 Months-March 17

The Supreme Court, on December 10, noted that the trial in the RG Kar rape-murder case is proceeding day-to-day from Monday to Thursday at the Special CBI Court in Sealdah. So far, 43 of the 81 prosecution witnesses have been examined. A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar stated the matter would be reviewed next on March 17, with liberty for parties to raise concerns about trial delays if needed.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today (Dec 10) reviewed the progress of a high-profile rape-murder case being heard in the Special CBI Court at Sealdah. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar observed that the trial is proceeding day-to-day from Monday to Thursday.

So far, 43 of the 81 prosecution witnesses have testified. The court scheduled the next hearing for March 17 and emphasized that

“If the trial in the Sealdah court is delayed, attention can be drawn to the case. The court will hear the case before the next hearing.”

The Supreme Court permitted the withdrawal of a case filed against former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal. The Chief Justice clarified,

“The case in that regard is pending in the High Court. Therefore, the petition will not be heard.”

In a separate matter, junior doctors raised concerns about state actions, requesting an impartial committee to oversee them. Advocate Indira Jaisingh, representing the junior doctors, said,

“My request is that an impartial committee be formed to monitor the state’s action.”

Responding to the junior doctors’ plea, the Chief Justice suggested they take their grievances to the National Task Force (NTF).

“Tell the National Task Force what you have to say. We can instruct the task force,”

-he said.

He further inquired,

“The trial will be over within a month. Can I take this into my record?”

The court announced that the National Task Force (NTF) would create an email ID to receive complaints and demands from doctors.

The Chief Justice stated,

“The National Task Force (NTF) will launch an email ID. Doctors will be able to submit their demands or complaints there. The task force will investigate everything and submit a report after 12 weeks.”

Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna urged efficiency in handling numerous applications, stating,

“A large number of applications have been submitted. It will take a long time to hear all the applications. Just provide the application and necessary information.”

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), represented by Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, submitted its seventh progress report in the RG tax probe to the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice sought details on the trial’s status in the lower court and asked-

“Does the accused have his own lawyer? Or has a lawyer been appointed from Legal Services?”

Tushar Mehta responded,

“There is a lawyer from Legal Services.”

The victim’s family has been pushing for an expedited trial. Their lawyer stated,

“The trial is going on every day except holidays. The trial could be over by next week.”

During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked,

“Has the DNA report been submitted? Where is the report?”

Tushar Mehta confirmed,

“The report matched.”

Addressing allegations of financial corruption in the RG tax case, the Chief Justice asked whether a chargesheet had been filed.

Tushar Mehta stated,

“The case is going on in another court,”

and accused the state of non-cooperation.

“The two accused worked in government positions. The state’s permission is required to take action against them. But the state’s permission is not being obtained,”

-he alleged.

Countering the CBI’s claims, state lawyer Kapil Sibal remarked,

“We do not have any such information.”

The CBI informed the court that permission to act against the accused, employed in government roles, was sought on November 27. The chargesheet was filed on November 29. The Chief Justice directed the state to act promptly, stating,

“Take necessary action.”

This detailed account reflects the ongoing judicial processes in the rape-murder case and related issues.

The Supreme Court’s directives underscore its commitment to justice and timely resolution of cases.

The last hearing, on November 7, was presided over by a three-judge bench that included the then CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra.

This Supreme Court hearing coincides with the trial already underway in a special fast-track court in Kolkata. The trial is being conducted daily to expedite the case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is handling the case, is expected to submit its seventh status report on the investigation to the Supreme Court. In its initial charge sheet, the CBI named civic volunteer Sanjay Roy as the “sole prime accused” in the rape and murder.

The investigation has also implicated former RG Kar principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and former Tala Police Station Station House Officer (SHO) Abjijit Mondal. They face allegations of tampering with evidence and misleading the initial probe by Kolkata Police.

Both Dr Ghosh and Mondal remain in judicial custody, which was extended until December 13 by a special Kolkata court on Monday.

The CBI has informed the court that it is examining CCTV footage from the RG Kar premises as part of its ongoing investigation.

The junior doctor’s body was discovered under mysterious circumstances in the seminar hall of the hospital on the morning of August 9, sparking outrage and demands for justice.

Click Here to Read Previous Reports on RG Kar Rape-Murder

FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES