"Cannot ask Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to resign", SC during Kolkata doctor death suo motu hearing

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Synopsis

"IF YOU ASK ME TO DIRECT THE CHIEF MINISTER TO RESIGN, THAT IS NOT PART OF OUR REMIT..", the CJI told the counsel before him

A visible miffed Chief Justice of India today came down heavily on a counsel before him with a plea asking the West Bengal Chief Minister to resign over the recent incidents at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

"Sir this is not a POLITICAL FORUM..you are a member of the Bar, we don't require your affirmation to what we say..WE ARE NOT HERE TO SEE WHAT YOU FEEL ABOUT A PARTICULAR POLITICAL FUNCTIONARY..that is not our concern..", the CJI said at the outset.

As the counsel continued to make his submissions, CJI Chandrachud told the lawyer that it was not within the court's remit to direct a Chief Minister to resign.

"You please listen to me..otherwise I will have you removed from court..", the CJI said as a last warning before the counsel decided to stop with his submission.

Earlier today, during the suo motu hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its decision of live streaming hearing like the suo motu case on RG Kar hospital incident owing to its high emotive implications.

The Supreme Court has been hearing a suo motu case registered on the incident from August 9, 2024 where a young doctor working at a medical college in Kolkata was brutally raped and murdered.

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.

Top 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 of Trainee Doctor in RG Kar Medical College Hospital, Kolkata and related issues