Kolkata doctor rape-murder case live: The Supreme Court is set to resume hearing pleas in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The bench examined the case status report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a sealed cover.
The Supreme Court, taking suo motu cognizance of the Kolkata rape-murder case, had asked the CBI to submit a status report on its investigation on August 22. The CBI was also scheduled to look into the mob vandalism at the hospital and provide all details.
The Supreme Court criticised the West Bengal government for mishandling the case and also asked them to submit a report on the mob which had entered the hospital, which was the scene of the crime, during a peaceful protest. The bench questioned the Kolkata police on why an unnatural death case was registered after conducting the postmortem.
The CBI, meanwhile, grilled former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh for the sixth consecutive day.
As protests continue across the country, the Supreme Court has also set up a National Task Force (NTF) to look into the larger issue of ensuring safety for medical professionals, especially women. During the hearing, the CJI observed that the NTF should have a portal to receive anonymous complaints from doctors who fear for their safety. CJI also assured the resident doctors that their concerns will be heard by the NTF and there is no need for actual representation from them.
Doctors’ organisations, who have been striking till now, have promised to inform and cooperate with the NTF and have also asked for a central law on the issue. The task force has been ordered to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.
