Supreme Court Directs Fresh CBI Report in Kolkata Rape and Murder Case

New Delhi, Sept 9: The Supreme Court on Monday instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a fresh report by September 17 regarding the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor from Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, along with Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, reviewed a status report filed in a sealed cover by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI. “The investigation is in progress. We direct the CBI to submit a fresh status report. We don’t intend to guide the CBI in its investigation,” said the bench.

The Solicitor General also informed the court that forensic samples will be sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for further examination.

The court further instructed senior officials from the West Bengal Home Department and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to ensure that all security measures, including necessary equipment, are provided to the three CISF companies deployed at RG Kar Hospital.

In the wake of the incident, widespread protests have erupted, with doctors across the state striking in response to the crime. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, submitted a status report on the current health crisis caused by the strike, revealing that 23 people had died due to the disruption of medical services.

The case has drawn sharp criticism from the Supreme Court, which previously expressed alarm over the Kolkata Police’s delayed registration of the medic’s unnatural death and the state government’s failure to control the situation. The court termed the incident “extremely disturbing” and criticized the state for not promptly addressing the safety concerns at the hospital.

The horrific event has sent shockwaves through the medical community, igniting nationwide protests over the safety of healthcare workers. The body of the young doctor was found on August 9 in a seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department with severe injury marks. A civic volunteer was arrested the following day by Kolkata Police, but the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI on August 13, following public outcry.

The case continues to garner attention as the investigation unfolds. The Supreme Court’s directive for a fresh CBI report underscores the gravity of the situation and the national demand for justice.