Rehan Khan
On 18th August, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of the horrific rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. The case, which has sent shockwaves across the country, is scheduled for hearing on August 20 by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra.
The tragic incident occurred on August 9, when the body of the 32-year-old trainee doctor was discovered in a seminar room at the medical college. The following day, the Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer in connection with the crime. However, the Calcutta High Court, expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation conducted by the Kolkata Police, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe.
The case has ignited widespread outrage and protests across the nation. Medical professionals, civil societies, and citizens have taken to the streets, demanding justice for the victim and calling for enhanced safety measures for medical staff. The protests have led to the suspension of outpatient department (OPD) services nationwide, although emergency services remain operational.
In response to the growing public demand for justice, two Supreme Court advocates, Ujjawal Gaur and Rohit Pandey, along with a doctor from Telangana, wrote a letter to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, urging the Supreme Court to intervene. The letter emphasized the urgent need for the highest court to address the gravity of the situation and ensure that justice is served. It highlighted the broader implications of the case, calling it an assault on the nation’s core values of justice and humanity.
Another letter petition, filed by Dr. Monica Singh of the Army College of Dental Sciences in Secunderabad, Telangana, sought the Supreme Court’s immediate intervention, citing a series of attacks on medical professionals, including the incident at RG Kar Medical College. The petition requested a thorough and impartial investigation into the attacks and called for comprehensive security measures for medical institutions nationwide. Dr. Singh also sought an order for the deployment of Central Forces to protect RG Kar Medical College and its staff, who have been living in fear since the incident.