RG Kar Hospital Rape-Murder Case: Supreme Court directs National Task Force to respond to States' Inputs

The Court directed the NTF to respond to states’ submissions on hospital safety after stakeholders flagged inaction since its 2024 constitution following the RG Kar Hospital rape-murder;

Update: 2025-08-06 05:40 GMT

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the National Task Force (NTF) to respond to reports and suggestions filed by states and stakeholders in the suo motu case concerning the rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal.

The Bench of Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh said the matter would be listed for detailed hearing after eight weeks on a non-miscellaneous day at 2 PM, to ensure presence of all counsel.

Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the State of Uttar Pradesh, informed the Bench that responses had already been submitted to the NTF.

Counsel for the Delhi Medical Association also stated that suggestions had been filed in compliance with earlier directions.

Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy, representing a collective of 25,000 doctors and the parents of the deceased victim, pointed out delays in the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), despite directions from the High Court seven months ago.

“That aspect has gone to the High Court and they are considering it. However, the report has not been filed even after seven months of the direction…so we may be coming back on that,” she told the Court.

She further submitted that in terms of the Court’s last direction, all stakeholders had submitted their responses to the NTF’s report, and that there had only been “a single-page addendum” from the NTF since May 2025.

Taking note of the submissions, the Court directed the NTF to file a consolidated response addressing the states’ submissions and other suggestions, and listed the matter for further hearing after eight weeks.

In January this year, the Court had asked hospitals to regularise the absence of doctors who participated in protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Kolkata. The Court had ordered that doctors who returned to duty after 22 August 2024 would have their absence regularised and that the said period would be considered as time on duty, not as leave.

On 22 August 2024, the Supreme Court had assured doctors protesting over the Kolkata rape and murder incident, that no coercive steps shall be taken. This order came after a counsel informed the CJI Chandrachud-led bench that protesting doctors were facing backlash. Notably, on January 20, the Sealdah Sessions Court in Kolkata sentenced the main accused, Sanjoy Roy, to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College.

Earlier, on 9 December 2024, while noting that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) trial might conclude within a month, the Supreme Court directed the National Task Force (NTF) to submit its final report within 12 weeks.
On 30 September, the Supreme Court was made aware of another concern of the doctors working at the RG Kar Hospital and Medical College in Kolkata, saying "People who are being investigated by the CBI are still in employment at RG Kar".
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) began investigating the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata, following the Calcutta High Court's decision to transfer the case to CBI due to the lack of progress in the state police's investigation and suspicion of evidence tampering.
Previously, the Supreme Court of India had also set up a National Task Force to develop a national protocol aimed at ensuring the safety and protection of women doctors across the country.
Apex Court took cognizance of the issues after letter petitions were filed addressing the Chief Justice of India asking him to take suo moto cognizance of this case and issue directions for an immediate and impartial investigation into the attacks on doctors protesting against the incident at the R.G. Kar Medical College.
The victim was found dead in a seminar hall at the hospital. The CBI has registered an FIR, building on the initial police report, which includes charges of rape and murder.
Case Title: In Re: Alleged Rape and Murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and related issues 

Hearing Date: August 5, 2025

Bench: Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh


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