Probe into RG Kar rape-murder case going on with utmost seriousness, CBI tells SC

PTI, NEW DELHI, OCT 15, 2024: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the investigation in the rape and murder case of a doctor working at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was going on with "utmost seriousness."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, submitted the fifth status report of the agency before a bench of Chief Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Justices J. B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

"Investigation was going on in the matter with utmost seriousness. The chargesheet in the matter was filed on October 7 against accused Sanjay Roy, and a Sealdah court has taken cognisance," he told the bench.

The apex court observed that the CBI report indicated that the agency was probing the role of other persons as a part of its ongoing investigation and sought a further status report within three weeks.

On the issue of the National Task Force (NTF), constituted to make recommendations over the safety and security of medical professionals, the apex court noted that it had held no meeting since the first week of September. The apex court, therefore, directed the Centre to take proactive steps to ensure that the work was completed within a reasonable period of time.

"The meetings of the NTF should happen periodically, and all sub-groups should hold regular meetings," the bench said while directing it to formulate recommendations on the safety of Kolkata doctors within three weeks. The hearing is currently underway.

On September 30, the apex court had expressed dissatisfaction over the "tardy" progress made by the West Bengal government over the installation of CCTVs and the construction of toilets and separate resting rooms in government medical colleges, and directed the state to complete the ongoing work by October 15.

On September 17, the apex court had said it was disturbed by the findings given in the CBI's status report in the case, while refusing to divulge the details, and observed that any disclosure may jeopardise the ongoing investigation.