Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: SC refuses to transfer trial outside West Bengal; NTF submits report on safety protocols for medicos

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to transfer the trial of Kolkata trainee doctor rape and murder case outside West Bengal on Thursday. The apex court observed trial court judge had sufficient powers to order another investigation if it was necessary.

Hearing the suo motu case, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra refused to entertain a plea to transfer the trial into the death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital outside West Bengal. “The trial judge has sufficient powers to make another investigation if he feels it necessary, when he sees the evidence, he has ample powers to direct,” Live Law reported quoting Chandrachud. A Kolkata court recently framed charges against a key accused in the case, Sanjay Roy.

The apex court examined the probe status report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation. However, the bench did not make any observations on the report citing the probe is underway. 

The National Task Force formed by the apex court to propose measures for the safety of medical professionals also submitted their interim report on Thursday. The bench said the NTF has submitted its proposals under two categories – prevention of sexual violence and prevention of physical violence. The NTF has proposed the adoption of all recommendations by medical institutions in all states and Union Territories. The bench directed the copy of the report to be shared with all case-related counsels and chief secretaries of all states and UTs. The secretaries were advised to submit any suggestions on the report within three weeks.