Accepting multiple pleas for a fair probe into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The HC directed authorities to hand over all files related to the case to CBI by 10am on Wednesday.
Pronouncing the judgment, A division bench of Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya observed that there has been “no significant progress in the investigation”. “It is disheartening to note that the principal of the hospital was not proactive. It is on record that he resigned and it is unclear as to what orders were passed. Rather in the shortest possible time, he was made principal of another college,” Live Law reported quoting the verdict.
The bench came down heavily on the principal of the college and said the state government could have avoided appointing him to another college given the circumstances in which he tendered the resignation. “When the deceased was a doctor in the same hospital, it is surprising why the principal did not lodge a complaint. This gives rise to suspicion,” the bench observed.
“Instead of relieving him, he was appointed as head of another college. It is not clear what tearing hurry was there to appoint him again. Many submissions have been made about him being a powerful person however these aspects are not gone into,” the bench said. The Court had directed the principal to go on long leave during the hearing earlier today. The bench directed that the principal must not be allowed to hold the principal’s post until further notice.
The Court observed, “There has been no significant progress in the investigation. The administration was not with the victim or her family. The principal has not even given a statement.” The bench said the case is being transferred to CBI to instil confidence among the public.
The Court also appealed to agitating doctors to call off the strike and hold discussions with the state government.
The victim, 31, was found dead on Friday morning around 7.30am at the third floor seminar hall of the hospital with multiple injuries. A judicial inquest has found injuries in the private parts while there was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth. Her collarbone was broken and injuries were found in her neck, belly and limbs. The victim was a second-year postgraduate student and she was found dead under suspicious circumstances.
