Following the retirement of former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, took up the suo motu hearing of the RG Kar rape and murder case for the first time on Tuesday.
Earlier, the ex-CJI Chandrachud-led bench, involving Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra, was presiding over the matters.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the CBI, presented the court with the latest status report on the central agency's investigation. He then briefed the new bench, outlining three key aspects of the case: the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar on August 9, the filing of the chargesheet, and the corruption angle.
Also read
- A leading figure of RG Kar rape-murder protests, Dr Asfakulla Naiya faces probe for practising with fake degree
- March in Kolkata to demand justice for RG Kar victim, safety of women at workplace
- RG Kar: Protesting junior doctors question WB govt, CBI, SC for delay in justice
- Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Calcutta HC allows doctor to continue dharna, imposes restrictions
CJI Khanna then sought the status of the trial of Sanjoy Ray, the main accused in the rape and murder case, going on at the local Sealdah Civil & Criminal Court in Kolkata.
Advocate Vrinda Grover, on behalf of the family of the victim, informed that so far statements of 43 witnesses have been recorded and that the CBI hopes to complete the process by next week.
The chief justice observed that the trial which is being taken up daily from Monday to Thursday, could be over by next month.
Advocate Grover expressed hope that the CBI would submit the supplementary chargesheet to hold accountable those who allegedly tried to cover up the crime.
Meanwhile, the court also inquired about the financial irregularities case, prompting SG Mehta to report that the CBI had already filed a chargesheet.
Of the five individuals named by the central agency, two were employees of the West Bengal government. However, the solicitor general claimed that the state had not granted the permission required to take action against them.
He further stated that the chargesheet was filed on November 29 and the state’s permission to take action against two of the accused was sought on November 27.
CJI Khanna then asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, to look into the matter.
Advocate Indira Jaisingh, representing the doctors, requested an independent committee to monitor the actions of the state. The CJI recommended that she place her suggestions before the National Task Force (NTF).
The top court established the NTF to recommend steps to prevent sexual and physical violence against medical professionals in the country and to ensure a safer work environment for them.
CJI Khanna’s bench listed the matter for the next hearing on March 17.
