Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Highlights: Supreme Court raps Bengal govt for 'tardiness' in installing CCTVs, building toilets

Kolkata rape case highlights: SC pulls up Bengal govt for 'tardiness' in installing CCTVs, building resting rooms

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over "tardy" progress by West Bengal government in installation of CCTVs and construction of toilets and separate resting rooms at medical facilities, and directed the state government to complete ongoing work by October 15. The apex court was hearing a suo motu case related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The top court also reiterated its earlier order that no intermediary is allowed to publish the name and photo of the victim in the case.

As the hearing commenced, advocate Vrinda Grover told a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra that the parents of the deceased victim are disconcerted by repeated clips in social media disclosing her name and photos.

The top court said it had already passed an order on this issue and it was for the law enforcement agencies to implement the order. It clarified its earlier order and said it applies to all intermediaries.

The bench noted that substantial leads have come up in the CBI investigation and it has given statements on both aspects -- alleged rape and murder and the financial irregularities.

Kolkata doctor case hearing highlights: SC directs Tushar Mehta to submit report on progress of National Task Force, posts hearing in Kolkata rape-murder case to Oct 14.

Kolkata rape-murder case: SC says progress by West Bengal govt in installation of CCTVs, construction of toilets and separate resting rooms is tardy.

The Supreme Court on Monday observed that substantial leads have emerged in the investigation report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Kolkata rape-murder case. The report marks significant progress in the case that has drawn nationwide attention.

In addition to reviewing the investigation, the SC expressed dissatisfaction with the West Bengal government's slow progress in installing CCTV cameras and constructing essential facilities such as toilets and separate resting rooms for women. The court criticized the state’s tardy efforts and set a deadline of October 15 for the completion of ongoing work.

Furthermore, the West Bengal government informed the court that resident doctors in the state are not carrying out their duties in the Inpatient Department (IPD) and Outpatient Department (OPD), raising concerns over the functioning of healthcare services amidst the case proceedings.

The SC has directed the state government to ensure all developments and improvements are completed within the stipulated timeline.

Who are the people under probe still employed in R G Kar Hospital against whom financial irregularities are alleged: SC asks CBI counsel

Kolkata rape-murder case: SC says substantial leads have come into investigation report by CBI.

Kolkata rape-murder case: SC peruses status report of CBI on progress made so far in probe.

Kolkata rape-murder case: There are lots of social media posts disclosing victim's name and photos, SC told.

Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Supreme Court commences hearing on plea related to rape-murder case of trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The Supreme Court on Monday commenced hearings on a plea related to the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. The case, which has shocked the nation, involves the alleged sexual assault and killing of a young medical trainee in the city, drawing widespread outrage and demands for swift justice.

The incident, which occurred earlier this year, prompted protests from medical professionals and the public alike, demanding accountability for the crime and greater safety measures for women. The victim’s family, supported by various rights groups, moved the plea to the Supreme Court, seeking an expedited trial and stringent punishment for those involved.

Kolkata hospital horror: RG Kar evidence 'falsified' at Tala police station, CBI claims in court

CBI, probing the "larger conspiracy" of destruction of evidence in connection with the rape and murder of a 31-year-old intern at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, claimed before the ACJM court on Wednesday that "some false records pertaining to the case were created at Tala police station".

CBI also claimed former Tala police station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mandal spoke to former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh a number of times on August 9, the day of the crime.

It claimed that the duo's custodial interrogation had revealed "new and additional facts", including that some documents were "altered" at the police station. Lawyers representing Mandal and Ghosh asked CBI to provide evidence instead of making allegations in court. They said it was natural for the hospital head (Ghosh) to speak to the officer-in-charge following the rape and murder.

CBI submitted a report to the court in a sealed cover, and demanded judicial custody of the two accused till September 30.

Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Won't stage any protest during Durga Puja, says West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar

Union minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar declared a pause in the protest over the rape and murder of an RG Kar Medical College and Hospital trainee doctor during Durga Puja festivities on Wednesday.

Majumdar stated that the BJP would resume the protest after the celebrations until chief minister Mamata Banerjee is compelled to step down. Sukanta Majumdar said, "Our movement is going on and will continue. Today was the last day of political activity before the Durga Puja celebrations. During the Puja we will not stage any protest. After the Durga Puja we will again take to the streets. We will do gherao at the Nabanna. BJP will remain on the road until we force the chief minister to resign."

Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Live: SC to hear suo motu plea in RG Kar trainee doctor's rape and murder case shortly

Kolkata Doctor Rape Hearing Live: West Bengal Junior Doctors Front held torch rally

The West Bengal Junior Doctors Front held a torch rally on Sunday, starting from RG Kar Hospital and ending at Shyambazar, as they continued their protests demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was raped and murdered.

In a related development, Malay Kumar Dutta has been appointed as the new Officer-in-Charge of Tala Police Station, following the arrest of Abhijit Mondal, the former Officer-in-Charge, in connection with the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case. The appointment was made through an official order issued by the Commissioner of Kolkata Police on Thursday.

The order read, "Malay Kumar Dutta, Inspector of Police (I-Cadre), Addl. O/C, Shyampukur PS, North Division, Kolkata Police, presently looking after the work of the office of the O/C, Tala PS, North Division, Kolkata Police, in addition to his own duties, is posted as Officer-in-Charge, Tala PS, North Division, Kolkata Police, with immediate effect in the interest of public service."

Kolkata Doctor Rape Hearing Live: SC had earlier directed Wikipedia to remove the name of the victim

The solicitor general had informed the court that Wikipedia was still displaying the victim's name and photo. The court then ordered Wikipedia to remove the victim's name, saying, "In the interest of maintaining the dignity and privacy of the deceased, the governing principle is that the identity of the victim in a rape and murder case shall not be disclosed. Wikipedia shall take steps to comply with the previous order passed."

Kolkata Rape Murder Hearing Live: SC on streaming of live proceedings

The apex court had earlier refused to halt the live streaming of the suo motu case proceedings related to the incident, emphasising that it is a matter of public interest and the public has the right to know what is happening in the courtroom.

During the September 17 hearing, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, requested the court to stop the live proceedings, claiming that women lawyers in the chamber are receiving threats of acid attacks and rape. The top court assured Sibal that it would intervene if there were any threats to lawyers or others involved in the case.

Kolkata Doctor Rape Hearing Live: Day before SC hearing, Kolkata CP visits R G Kar hospital

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma on Sunday visited R G Kar Medical College and Hospital here, a day before the Supreme Court is to hear the rape-murder case of a post-graduate trainee doctor of the health facility. Sources said that Verma took stock of the security system at the hospital, spoke to the police personnel present there, and went to the emergency department.

The police commissioner's visit comes a day before the rape-murder case comes up for hearing again before the Supreme Court on Monday.

A mob attack at the hospital took place in the early hours of August 15, vandalising the emergency department of the government-run hospital, just a day after the Calcutta High Court had ordered the transfer of investigation into the rape-murder case to the CBI.

The city police are investigating the vandalism at the hospital.

Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Live: SC to commence hearing on plea

At the outset of the day’s proceedings, a bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala was urged by a counsel appearing for one of the parties that the suo motu case, which was earlier listed for hearing on September 27.

Charges against ex-RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh 'grave', could lead to capital punishment: CBI court

The charges against former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and former Tala police station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mandal were "grave" and, if proven, could lead to "capital punishment", a CBI court hearing the RG Kar rape-and-murder case said on Wednesday.

Magistrate Shibasis Dey, in his written order that could be accessed on Thursday, said the CBI "investigation was on in full swing" and kept both Ghosh and Mandal in custody till next Monday.

"The nature and gravity of the accusation is grave and, if proved, there might be a capital punishment, which is only given in rarest of rare cases," the magistrate said, adding that granting bail in such a case would be flouting the principles of equity.

Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Live: SC to hear a suo motu case today

The Supreme Court is set to take up a suo motu case concerning the alleged rape and murder of a resident doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court will examine the matter on its own initiative, given the gravity of the alleged crime.

Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Live: Since last SC hearing, CBI focus on evidence-tampering, docu falsification

The CBI probing the rape and murder at the R G Kar Medical College has in the past 13 days (since the last Supreme Court hearing) trained its focus on falsification of documents and destruction of evidence.Coinciding with the SC hearing, the ex-RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and former Tala police station OC Abhijit Mandal, now in Presidency jail, will be produced before a CBI court in Sealdah.

Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Live: Junior doctors keep an eye on SC hearing, CM Mamata Banerjee meet

The Supreme Court hearing at 2pm on Monday on the RG Kar issue and steps taken by the state will have a bearing on whether the junior doctors renew their statewide cease-work. While junior doctors in many medical colleges want to go back to complete cease-work after the assault on their colleagues at College of Medicine and Sagore Dutta Hospital (CoMSDH), the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF) decided to wait till Monday's SC hearing.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, too, is likely to chair a cabinet meeting and an administrative review meeting on Monday, in the backdrop of the RG Kar issue.

"We will be keeping an eye on what the Bengal govt submits to the SC on issues of safety and security and other confidence-building measures. We also will see when the CBI submits its chargesheet. Depending on these issues we will take a call on complete cease-work," said Debashis Halder, junior doctor at Medical College Hospital Kolkata. The junior doctors had partially lifted their cease-work on Sept 21 but after the Sagore Dutta incident, they have threatened another spell of cease-work.

Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Live: 'We haven't seen any action on our demands'

The junior doctors protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata have expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of action taken by the authorities. Despite meeting with the Chief Secretary 10 days ago to discuss their safety and security concerns, they claim that no progress has been made.

Aniket Mahato, a junior doctor at the hospital, stated, "Our agitation so far centred around only one agenda, and that was justice for Abhaya. It has been 10 days since we met with the Chief Secretary concerning our safety and security in hospitals, but we haven't seen any action on the directives given by the Chief Secretary as per our demands."

Kolkata Doctor Case Hearing Live: Ahead of SC hearing on RG Kar case, medics demand security at hospitals

Junior medics from various govt hospitals accompanied by the general public participated in torch rallies across the city on Sunday demanding justice for the murdered R G Kar hospital doctor and security at their workplaces, a day before the Supreme Court is set to hear the case involving the alleged rape-murder of the postgraduate trainee.

The rallies were organised from R G Kar hospital, Sagore Dutta Hospital, SSKM Hospital, Calcutta Medical College, and Jadavpur in south Kolkata. Participating in the rallies, medics and community members called for justice for the victim and emphasised the need for enhanced safety and security for medical staff at state-run hospitals.