New Delhi: The Supreme Court has indicated that it may shift the case involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to either Delhi or the Calcutta High Court. The court noted that the matter has become too fragmented, with several connected proceedings already underway in the Calcutta High Court, making it impractical to address the issues in parts.
A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma observed that it is not feasible for the Supreme Court to monitor every aspect of the situation, including ongoing protests in Kolkata. The court asked senior advocate Karuna Nundy, representing an association of doctors, to prepare a detailed list of all pending matters before the Calcutta High Court.
During the hearing, Nundy highlighted that protesting doctors were facing repeated police summons and sought protective directions. The bench, however, maintained that it could not issue broad protective orders, adding that law enforcement is permitted to call individuals for questioning. The court said it would examine the issue further at the next hearing, scheduled after the winter break.
The case has remained under close scrutiny since the postgraduate doctor was found dead inside a seminar room of the hospital on August 9 last year. A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested the next day and later sentenced by a Kolkata court to life imprisonment until death. The incident sparked widespread public outrage and long-running protests across West Bengal.
Despite the conviction, the Supreme Court continues to oversee several related matters, including the regularisation of doctors’ absences during the protest period. After taking suo motu cognisance, the court also established a National Task Force on August 20 last year to create a safety framework for medical professionals.
The task force later reported that a separate central law to protect healthcare workers was unnecessary, noting that most states already have specific legislation and that serious offences are covered under national criminal law. Initially handled by Kolkata police, the investigation was transferred to the CBI after concerns were raised by the Calcutta High Court. The Supreme Court formally took charge of monitoring the case in August 2024.
