Rehan Khan
The People’s Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL) has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking justice for the brutal rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident, which occurred after the victim completed her night shift, has ignited widespread outrage.
Advocate Jhuma Sen, representing PUCL, has petitioned for a court-monitored investigation into the case. The plea also demands a compliance report from the West Bengal government regarding the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH), following the Supreme Court’s directions in Aureliano Fernandes vs State of Goa & Ors. The petition further underscores the need to investigate the role of the Principal and other authorities at RG Kar Medical College, questioning their accountability.
The Calcutta High Court has already raised concerns about the Principal’s conduct, noting his suspicious reappointment to another medical college just hours after resigning from RG Kar. The court ordered the Principal to take indefinite leave pending further investigation. Due to the lack of proactivity by the state police, the High Court transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The victim’s parents, represented by Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, recounted how they were misled about their daughter’s condition and were denied access to her body for hours. This prompted them to request the investigation be handed over to an independent agency, fearing further delays could compromise evidence.
The case has led to massive protests nationwide, with serious concerns about the state police’s handling of the investigation. The High Court’s decision to involve the CBI is seen as a crucial step toward ensuring justice for the victim.