West Bengal RG Kar Medical College Rape-Murder Case: Calcutta HC Orders CBI Probe

The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case on Tuesday. The court instructed that all relevant documents be handed over to the CBI without delay.

A division bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam was addressing a plea from the victim's parents, who sought a court-monitored probe. Several other petitions also called for a CBI investigation into the incident.

High Court Highlights Investigation Lapses

The HC pointed out significant lapses in the ongoing investigation, noting no substantial progress even after five days. The court expressed concern that if the current investigation continues, crucial evidence might be destroyed.

"Under normal circumstances, we would have called for a report. But the case is peculiar. And the facts warrant appropriate orders without loss of time. Without significant progress in the investigation, we would be well justified in accepting the prayers by the victim's parents that evidence would be destroyed," stated the bench.

Nationwide Protests by Resident Doctors

Resident doctors across various states have been protesting and have initiated an indefinite strike against the rape-murder incident. This protest follows a nationwide strike call by the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA) after a postgraduate trainee doctor was found raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College while on duty.

The semi-naked body of the 32-year-old woman was discovered in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital in Kolkata on Thursday night. Under the banner of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), PGIMER, doctors marched demanding justice for their colleague, chanting slogans like 'we want justice'.

Demands for Central Agency Probe

There have been widespread calls for a central agency probe into this heinous crime. Dr Praneeth Reddy, joint secretary of ARD, PGIMER, emphasized this demand: "Our demand is a CBI probe into the matter," he said, insisting on strict punishment for those responsible.

The court's decision came after considering multiple petitions and recognising that immediate action was necessary to prevent any further derailment of justice. The involvement of CBI is seen as crucial to ensure an unbiased and thorough investigation.

This tragic incident has sparked outrage and demands for swift justice across India. The medical community stands united in seeking accountability and ensuring such crimes do not go unpunished.