September 09, 2024: The Supreme Court has directed protesting doctors in Kolkata to resume their duties by 5 P.M. on September 10, 2024. The directive comes amidst ongoing protests over the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. Here are the key updates from the hearing:
Key Updates
- 23 individuals dead, 600,000 patients denied treatment due to doctors’ strike: WB govt
- SC directs WB govt to submit the post-mortem challan on the next date of hearing
- SC directs immediate removal of photos of the victim’s dead body from social media
- There was at least a 14-hour delay to register the FIR: SC
- SC asks CBI to continue with its probe, orders the agency to file a fresh status report on September 17
Detailed Updates
September 09, 2024 14:21
CM Mamata urges people to call off protests and join Puja festivities
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the public to call off protests and return to Durga Puja festivities. She also appealed to protesting doctors to resume work.
“If everyday there are protests at night, people get disturbed. One month has passed; I will appeal to people to return to (Durga) Puja festivities,” she said.
September 09, 2024 14:12
CM Mamata rejects Kolkata CP Goyal’s resignation
“Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal offered to resign after R.G. Kar protests, but we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga Puja,” said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
September 09, 2024 13:10
No adverse action will be taken against doctors who resume work by 5pm tomorrow: SC
The court reiterated that protesting doctors must re-join work by 5 P.M. tomorrow. The West Bengal government is ordered not to take any adverse action against doctors who resume work tomorrow.
September 09, 2024 13:04
CJI asks protesting doctors to return to work by 5 pm tomorrow
The Chief Justice stated that, as a confidence-building measure, if doctors return to work before 5 P.M. tomorrow, no punitive actions, including transfers, will be taken against them.
September 09, 2024 13:00
SC directs the WB govt to take necessary measures to reassure doctors that their safety is being attended to
CJI Chandrachud noted that abstention from work by resident doctors for the last 28 days has resulted in severe disruption to the healthcare system of West Bengal. The Bench accordingly directed the West Bengal government to take necessary measures to reassure doctors that their safety is being attended to.
September 09, 2024 12:44
23 individuals dead, 600,000 patients denied treatment due to doctors’ strike: WB govt
Mr. Sibal apprised the court that 23 individuals have died due to inadequate treatment. He pointed out that the protests are occurring without any police authorisation and that doctors are refusing to treat injured policemen.
September 09, 2024 12:41
Would the rape and murder case have occurred with over 2,000 CCTV cameras in place? SC asks
The Chief Justice questioned whether the rape and murder case would have occurred with over 2,000 CCTV cameras in place. He reviewed the State Health Department’s report, which mentions the installation of 6,178 additional CCTVs and 893 restrooms under construction.
September 09, 2024 12:38
SC directs WB govt to submit the post-mortem challan on the next date of hearing
SC directed the West Bengal government to submit on the next date of hearing i.e. on February 17 the challan listing the crime scene articles sent with the body to the post-mortem doctor.
September 09, 2024 12:30
SC directs immediate removal of photos of the victim’s dead body from social media
The Supreme Court directed that photographs of the victim’s body be removed immediately from social media to protect the privacy and dignity of the victim and her family.
September 09, 2024 12:27
SC asks CBI to ensure that security measures are taken to ensure that unauthorised persons are not allowed access to the hospital
Senior advocate Geeta Luthra alleged that the crime scene was tampered with and the adjoining bathroom tiles and sink were changed to escape the luminol test. CJI Chandrachud asked the CBI to ensure that all safety and security measures are taken so that unauthorised persons, including civic volunteers, are not allowed in all parts of the hospital.
September 09, 2024 12:22
There was at least a 14-hour delay to register the FIR: SC
The Chief Justice of India noted that there is clarity regarding when the body was discovered and the movements around the room during that time. He mentioned that the stomach contents also reveal something but leaves it incomplete. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani then completed the statement, indicating that the stomach contents show the victim had a meal. CJI says there was at least a 14-hour delay to register the FIR.
September 09, 2024 12:17
WB govt seeks time to file an additional affidavit
Mr. Sibal seeks time to file an affidavit in this regard. CJI Chandrachud tells the CBI that if the document has not been received, then the agency has to requisition it from the Kolkata police.
September 09, 2024 12:16
SC enquires why the post-mortem report challan is missing from the records
The Chief Justice enquired about the challan or document used when the body is sent for post-mortem. He asserted that this document is crucial as it includes a section listing the clothes, and articles seized and bagged. Mr. Mehta says that the document was not handed over to the CBI. The CJI says that without this document, the post-mortem doctor would not receive the body. “If this document is missing, then something is wrong”, Justice Pardiwala remarks.
September 09, 2024 12:10
SC enquires again if the entire CCTV footage was handed over to the CBI by the Kolkata police
CJI Chandrachud again questioned if the entire CCTV footage was handed over to the CBI by the Kolkata police. He notes that there is footage of the accused leaving the seminar hall. “Who else entered?” the CJI asks.
September 09, 2024 12:06
Victim’s death was homicidal with evidence of forceful penetration and sexual abuse: CBI
Mr. Mehta submits a status report which stipulates that the victim’s death was homicidal, with evidence of forceful penetration and sexual abuse. The CBI will be sending it to AIIMS Delhi for retesting, he adds.
September 09, 2024 11:53
Judicial magistrate along with five women doctors present during post-mortem: WB govt
A lawyer intervened, stating that post-mortems are never conducted after 6 p.m. He questioned whether the victim’s clothes were sealed and handed over to the investigating officer by the post-mortem doctor. Mr. Sibal responds saying that the Judicial Magistrate was present during the post-mortem, along with five women doctors.
September 09, 2024 11:50
SC enquires about the steps taken by WB govt to ensure safety of medical staff in the State
The Supreme Court inquired about the steps the West Bengal government has taken to ensure the safety of doctors and medical staff in the State. Mr. Sibal responds that the Health Department has filed an affidavit on the matter.
September 09, 2024 11:47
CBI complains of inadequate accommodation for CISF personnel; WB govt refutes claim
Mr. Mehta complained about the lack of accommodation for CISF, especially women constables, stationed at RG Kar Hospital. Addressing this grievance, Mr. Sibal gives details of the various accommodations provided for the CISF personnel. He apprises the court that the residential facilities were identified by the CISF itself.
September 09, 2024 11:38
SC asks CBI to continue with its probe, orders the agency to file a fresh status report on September 17
CJI Chandrachud asked the CBI to continue with the investigation and ordered the central agency to file a fresh status report on September 17, 2024. The Bench returned the case records to the CBI.
September 09, 2024 11:35
CBI expresses dissatisfaction with the forensic analysis conducted by the CFSL in West Bengal
Mr. Mehta said that the Kolkata Police handed over only 27 minutes of the CCTV footage. He further expressed dissatisfaction with the forensic results, noting that the body of the victim was found in a semi-nude state. He mentioned that the forensic evidence has been sent to the CFSL in West Bengal but emphasised the need to send the samples to AIIMS and other CFSLs for further analysis. As he passed on the forensic report to the court, Mr. Mehta underscored that the question of who collected the samples is now relevant.
September 09, 2024 11:30
CCTV footage shows the accused entering and exiting the seminar room, CJI notes from the status report
CJI Chandrachud revealed from the report that there is CCTV footage showing the accused entering and exiting the seminar room. He enquired if the Kolkata police have handed over the entire footage to the CBI. Both the State and the CBI responded in the affirmative.
September 09, 2024 11:24
CBI and WB govt lock horns over the timing of the General Diary entry
A debate ensued over the timing of the General Diary (GD) entry, with Mr. Sibal claiming it was made at 2:55 p.m. and Mr. Mehta arguing it was recorded at 11:30 p.m. the previous night. To substantiate his claim, Mr. Sibal presented a certified copy of the GD entry to the Bench. Mr. Sibal further apprised the court that the inquest was conducted by the Judicial Magistrate at 4:10 p.m. and was videographed. The search and seizure took place between 8:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m, he added.
September 09, 2024 11:17
At what time was the unnatural death case registered by the Kolkata police? SC asks
Addressing Mr. Sibal, CJI Chandrachud sought clarification as to the exact time at which the unnatural death (UD) case was registered on August 9 by the Kolkata police. Sibal replied that the death certificate came at 1.47 pm and the UD case was registered at 2.55 pm.
September 09, 2024 11:08
CJI Chandrachud enquires about the distance between the residence of the principal and the RG Kar Medical College
Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked, “What is the distance between the residence of the principal and the RG Kar Medical College?” In response, Mr. Mehta said – “20 minutes”. The Bench is perusing the status reports.
September 09, 2024 11:03
CBI objects to WB govt filing its status report in a sealed cover; questions the “need to hide”
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta expressed his displeasure at the West Bengal government not sharing its status report with the CBI. He asked “why hide”. In response, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that the status report was not filed but served to the court in a sealed cover. In the last hearing, the West Bengal government was asked by the top court to file a report on its investigation into the August 14 incident of vandalism and violence at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in the metropolis.
September 09, 2024 10:57
SC begins hearing the case; CBI and WB govt file status reports
The Bench has assembled. The hearing begins. The CBI and the West Bengal government file separate, sealed cover status reports outlining the progress of the investigation. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the West Bengal government informs the court that 23 people have died due to doctors’ strike.
September 09, 2024 10:52
Watch: Kolkata rape and murder case: What the Supreme Court said
What were the directions issued by the top court in the previous hearing? Underscoring the necessity of enhancing safety standards in hospitals, the Bench observed, “As more and more women join the work force in cutting edge areas of knowledge and science, the nation has a vital stake in ensuring safe and dignified conditions of work. The constitutional value of equality demands nothing else and will not brook compromises on the health, well being and safety of those who provide health care to others. The nation cannot await a rape or murder for real changes on the ground.” Watch here.
September 09, 2024 10:50
Watch: Kolkata rape-murder case: What the Supreme Court said on Day 2 of hearing
The Supreme Court on Thursday (August 22, 2024) appealed to the doctors protesting the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital to return to work while emphasising that measures have now been undertaken to institutionalise their grievances. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud also directed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to coordinate with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of each State to implement basic safety measures until the National Task Force submits its interim report. Following the top court’s order, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of Delhi AIIMS, Indira Gandhi Hospital, and Dr RML Hospital called off their 11-day strike. Watch here.
September 09, 2024 10:29
Watch the Supreme Court live proceedings here
A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is slated to hear the matter at 10:30 am. Watch the court proceedings live here.
September 09, 2024 10:23
RG Kar victim’s justice key concern, charges of unfair practices in hospitals also serious: Lawyers
Justice for the rape and murder of a doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is the primary concern but the allegations that the practice of several students obtaining degrees in medicine through unfair means must not be lost sight of, according to lawyers. They expressed optimism that the National Task Force (NTF) formed by the Supreme Court to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals will have far-reaching effects in the future.
September 09, 2024 10:20
TMC faces unprecedented challenge, situation creates space for new political force
The rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital has triggered massive public outrage in West Bengal, creating a major political crisis for the ruling TMC and posing one of the biggest challenges to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s leadership since she took office in 2011. Political observers and leaders believe the sustained mass movement following the tragedy has created fertile ground for a new political party in West Bengal driven by ordinary citizens, students, and professionals disillusioned with the ruling TMC and opposition BJP and CPI(M).
September 09, 2024 09:26
Watch: What does Bengal’s ‘Aparajita’ Anti-Rape Bill entail?
On September 3, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, in response to the rape and murder of a young doctor. The Bill introduces strict penalties, including a compulsory death sentence for rapes resulting in death or permanent injury—a first in Indian law. It also mandates fast-tracked investigations and trials for rape and acid attack cases, with timelines shortened to 21 and 30 days respectively. Watch the video here.
September 09, 2024 08:27
Bengal Guv asks Mamata to call Cabinet meet over public demand to remove police commissioner
West Bengal Governor Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose on September 8 directed CM Mamata Banerjee to hold an immediate emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss the people’s demand to replace Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. “Governor Bose has directed CM Mamata Banerjee to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting to discuss people’s demand for justice for the deceased woman doctor,” a Raj Bhavan source said. “According to the Governor, the State should function within the Constitution and the rule of law. The ostrich-like attitude will not pay and the State must address the public demand to remove the Police Commissioner of Kolkata,” the source said.
September 09, 2024 08:23
Supreme Court to hear Kolkata doctor rape-murder case
The Supreme Court on Monday (September 9, 2024) will hear the case related to the murder and alleged rape of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A Bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the suo moto case.
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