The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the tragic case of the rape and murder of a woman doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud will hear the case on August 20. This decision comes in response to the public outcry and the gravity of the situation.
The incident occurred on August 9 when the postgraduate trainee doctor was found murdered in a seminar hall on the hospital premises. Following the discovery of her body, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation. The CBI is currently conducting psychological testing on Sanjoy Roy, a ‘civic volunteer’ who was arrested in connection with the case.
In the wake of the heinous crime, medical students from various colleges in Kolkata took to the streets on Sunday, demanding justice for the deceased doctor. Holding posters and placards, they marched through the city, calling for exemplary punishment for the perpetrators. The protest was held amidst heavy rains and saw the students walk through ankle-deep water, highlighting their determination to seek justice.
The protests also emphasized the need for a swift and thorough investigation by the CBI. Additionally, the students raised concerns about the potential destruction of evidence during a mob incident on August 15. A large crowd, estimated to be between 5,000 and 7,000 people, stormed the RG Kar Hospital, attacking doctors and medical students and attempting to ransack the premises. This violence forced security officials to intervene and disperse the mob. Kolkata police have since arrested 19 individuals suspected of involvement in the mob violence.
The Supreme Court’s intervention and the CBI’s ongoing investigation offer a glimmer of hope for justice in this tragic case. The public awaits the outcome of these proceedings with a mix of anticipation and sorrow, hoping that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and that such heinous crimes can be prevented in the future.
