Supreme Court Steps In: Justice for Doctor’s Tragic Death at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata

The Supreme Court of India has taken notice of the tragic rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will hear the case on August 20.

The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor was discovered in the hospital’s seminar room on August 9. The Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer the following day. However, the Calcutta High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation, expressing dissatisfaction with the Kolkata Police’s efforts.

Two Supreme Court lawyers, Ujjawal Gaur and Rohit Pandey, and a doctor from Telangana wrote to Chief Justice Chandrachud, urging the court to take immediate action. They emphasized the need for the judiciary to intervene with urgency and gravity, stating that the nation looks to the judiciary as the ultimate guardian of justice.

Another letter petition was filed by Dr. Monica Singh from the Army College of Dental Sciences in Secunderabad, Telangana. She highlighted the need for immediate intervention following a series of attacks on medical professionals, particularly the incident at RG Kar Medical College. Dr. Singh called for the deployment of Central Forces to protect the hospital and its staff.

The tragic incident has led to nationwide strikes and protests by civil societies and doctors, demanding severe punishment for the accused and better safety measures for medical professionals.