Kolkata medic rape-murder case: HC orders CBI probe, says police investigation did not inspire confidence
alcutta High court on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe in the case of rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor, who was found dead in a seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday.
The court directed the police to hand over all related documents to CBI by 10 am on Wednesday.
The HC also urged the agitating doctors to call off their strike, stating that they have a ‘pious obligation’ to resume work.
The division bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya delivered the order after hearing multiple pleas, including one filed by the parents of the victim seeking transfer of investigation to an independent agency.
"There has been no significant progress in the investigation by state police. The administration was not with the victim or her family. The principal has not even given a statement. Without significant progress in the investigation, we would be well justified in accepting the prayers by the victim's parents that evidence would be destroyed. Therefore we transfer the investigation to the CBI to do justice between parties and to inspire public confidence," Livelaw reported the bench as saying.
The court also asked why a murder case was not registered at the outset and an unnatural death case was initiated.
The division bench pointed out the body of the postgraduate trainee was not found on the roadside, and the superintendent or the principal of the hospital could have filed the complaint.
Doctors protest against the sexual assault and killing of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, in New Delhi, Monday, Aug. 12, 2024.
The body of the doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered inside a seminar hall of the RG Kar hospital, was found on Friday morning.
A civic volunteer was arrested in this connection on Saturday.
The parents of the postgraduate trainee had moved the HC, seeking a court-monitored investigation into the case. A number of other PILs were also filed that sought a CBI probe into it.
