The Supreme Court of India has formally transferred the suo motu proceedings concerning the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to the Calcutta High Court. This pivotal decision aims to consolidate all related hearings and ensure a focused judicial oversight of the sensitive case that had sparked nationwide outrage.
Court Directives and Case Transfer
A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and S C Sharma issued the transfer order on Wednesday. The bench deemed it appropriate to refer the matter to a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, with a specific request to the Chief Justice to place it before a suitable bench. The Supreme Court registry has been instructed to transmit all relevant case papers to the High Court without delay.
In a significant move for victim justice, the bench also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to share copies of its investigation reports with the parents of the deceased doctor. This directive ensures transparency and keeps the aggrieved family informed about the progress of the probe into their daughter's brutal killing.
Background of the Crime and Judicial Intervention
The case originates from a shocking incident in August 2024. The body of the young trainee doctor was discovered inside the hospital's seminar room on August 9, 2024. Responding swiftly to the gravity of the crime, the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe into the matter on August 13, 2024.
As protests erupted across the medical community and the nation, the Supreme Court also initiated suo motu (on its own motion) proceedings. The apex court had been actively monitoring both the investigation and the subsequent trial. In a powerful statement on August 20, 2024, the SC highlighted that the tragedy had exposed the critical "lack of institutional safety for doctors" and asserted that "the nation cannot await a rape or murder for real changes on the ground."
National Task Force and Future Safeguards
During the hearing, the bench also addressed the recommendations submitted by a National Task Force. This expert panel was constituted by the Supreme Court itself in the wake of the crime to formulate measures for enhancing the safety and working conditions of medical professionals. The bench clarified that the Calcutta High Court is now empowered to examine these recommendations as part of its ongoing supervision.
The Task Force had categorized its suggestions into two key areas:
- Prevention of violence against medical professionals and ensuring safe working environments.
- Prevention of sexual violence specifically targeting medical professionals.
In a related development, the trial in the case had reached a major milestone earlier this year. In January 2025, a sessions court in Kolkata's Sealdah convicted the prime accused, Sanjoy Roy, and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The Supreme Court's latest order to transfer the suo motu case streamlines the judicial process, placing all supervisory responsibilities under the purview of the Calcutta High Court. This move is expected to facilitate coordinated hearings on the CBI's investigation, the implementation of safety measures for doctors, and any other ancillary matters stemming from this tragic event.
