The Supreme Court on Wednesday transferred the suo motu proceedings related to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to the Calcutta High Court, stating that the High Court is better placed to oversee further action and ensure compliance with judicial directions.
A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma ordered that all case records be sent to the Calcutta High Court. The High Court will now monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court’s earlier orders, including those linked to the investigation and related administrative measures.
The case dates back to August 9, 2024, when the body of a postgraduate trainee doctor was found inside the medical college premises. The incident led to widespread protests by doctors and public outrage across the country, raising serious concerns over the safety of medical professionals, particularly women working in hospitals.
Following concerns over the initial investigation, the Calcutta High Court had earlier transferred the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Supreme Court subsequently took suo motu cognisance of the matter, given its seriousness and wider public implications.
The trial court in Kolkata later convicted the accused, Sanjay Roy, of rape and murder, sentencing him to life imprisonment till death. The Supreme Court continued to hear the matter in connection with related issues, including monitoring of investigations and broader institutional reforms.
While transferring the proceedings, the apex court directed that a copy of the latest status report, including details of the CBI investigation, be provided to the victim’s parents. It also noted that the Calcutta High Court is already dealing with connected issues arising from the case.
The Supreme Court clarified that the transfer does not amount to closure of the matter. Instead, it aims to streamline judicial oversight by allowing the High Court to handle follow-up actions and ensure that directions issued by constitutional courts are properly implemented.
The case has remained a reference point in discussions on hospital safety and accountability. The High Court will now take over supervision of further proceedings linked to the case, while the Supreme Court steps back from direct monitoring.
