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Synopsis

The Supreme Court today pulled up the West Bengal government over its assertion of CCTV cameras being installed at all medical colleges across the state.

As Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal was taking court through the government's status report on safety measures put in place, the CJI asked, "If thousands of cameras were working, how did this offence even happen?".

Notably, Sibal submitted that additional CCTV cameras were installed in all medical colleges. CJI asked that if 4347 CCTV cameras were installed, how could such an incident take place at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

"Yes yes, You are right, you are right", Sibal responded.

The top court today, as the hearing commenced also flagged the issue of challan for the post mortem to be conducted being missing from the documents handed over to the CBI.

"The constable is supposed to carry this CHALLAN, if this is missing, you have to EXPLAIN it..", Justice Pardiwala told Sibal.

Court further told CBI that it would have to file a requisition for that document if that has not been provided.

During the Supreme Court's hearing today of the 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, the Solicitor General flagged the issue of Kolkata Police hiding information from the CBI, who is currently investigating the matter.

The SG asked why the copy of status report submitted by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of Kolkata Police, before the CJI Chandrachud led bench was not provided to him.

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