Aastha Pareek
The Supreme Court recently rejected a plea to transfer the criminal trial for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College out of West Bengal. The case, titled In Re: Alleged Rape and Murder Incident of a Trainee Doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and Related Issues, involves harrowing details, as the 31-year-old victim, a resident doctor, was found deceased at the hospital on August 9, with a postmortem confirming rape and murder. Following this, the incident triggered nationwide outrage and strikes by medical professionals, highlighting ongoing concerns over the safety of healthcare workers.
The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, considered but ultimately declined the transfer request. The CJI noted the distinct circumstances compared to prior cases, such as the Manipur violence case, where a change in trial location was granted. The court stated that “Yes, we have done it (transferred the trial out of State) in cases like Manipur (the Manipur violence case). But we are not doing anything like that here. No such transfer.”
Responding to arguments on the alleged eroding public trust in the West Bengal judiciary and law enforcement, CJI Chandrachud advised caution, emphasizing that generalized statements should not form the basis of such a serious request.
The case’s investigation, transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court, continues to advance, with charges framed against accused Sanjay Roy under the Indian Penal Code’s provisions for rape and murder. This case is scheduled for further proceedings on November 11. Additionally, the Supreme Court had initiated a suo motu examination of broader safety issues for medical professionals, setting up a National Task Force (NTF) to develop protocols to improve working conditions and security at healthcare facilities. The NTF’s report, presented to the Court, proposes a mix of short-, medium-, and long-term measures aimed at creating a safer environment for medical staff across India.