RG Kar Case: SC Observes CBI Trial May Conclude In A Month, Directs Task Force To Submit Final Report In 12 Weeks

The Supreme Court has observed that the trial in the rape and murder case of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata, is likely to conclude within a month.

The trial in the rape and murder case of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata, is likely to conclude within a month, the Supreme Court has observed. This observation followed the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) submission of the latest status report.  

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar noted that the trial is proceeding on a day-to-day basis from Monday to Thursday at the Special CBI Court in Sealdah, Live Law reported. So far, the statements of 43 witnesses have been recorded, with 81 witnesses scheduled to be examined by the prosecution.  

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, informed the Court that a separate investigation into financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College Hospital has led to a chargesheet, though prosecution awaits state government sanction since the accused are public servants.  

Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the victim’s parents, expressed hope that the CBI would file a supplementary chargesheet in the rape-murder case to bring to justice those allegedly involved in covering up the crime, as per Live Law's report.  

RG Kar Case: Supreme Court Directs National Task Force To Submit Its Final Report Within 12 Weeks

The Supreme Court also acknowledged the National Task Force's (NTF) recommendations aimed at improving security for healthcare professionals and directed States and Union Territories to respond to the report. The NTF was instructed to submit its final recommendations within 12 weeks.  

The bench further directed the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to consider the plea of certain doctors seeking relief from treating protest periods as absenteeism, as earlier granted by the Supreme Court.  

The Court scheduled its next hearing for March 17, stating that parties may bring up delays in the trial if they arise, as per the report.  

The body of the victim was discovered in the hospital's seminar room on August 9. A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested the following day by Kolkata Police. However, the Calcutta High Court, dissatisfied with the police’s handling, transferred the investigation to the CBI on August 13. The Supreme Court later took suo motu cognisance of the case on August 19. By October, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Roy.