On Thursday, the Supreme Court of India raised serious concerns over the Kolkata Police’s handling of the unnatural death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court described the delay in documenting the case involving allegations of rape and murder as “extremely disturbing.”
During the court session, Justice Pardiwala expressed strong disapproval of the procedures related to post-mortem examinations and the registration of Unnatural Death (UD) reports. He was particularly alarmed to learn that post-mortem exams are conducted prior to UD report registration. Justice Pardiwala questioned the timing of UD 861/24, which was registered at 1:46 PM, and sought clarity on the source of this information. He stressed the importance of reviewing the document that records the time of death. To address these procedural issues, Justice Pardiwala has instructed that the responsible police officer be present for the next hearing to ensure accountability and expedite the process.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) highlighted several critical issues during the proceedings. The CBI raised concerns about the accuracy of the recorded date and time of the incident and noted financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. A significant issue revealed was that the CCTV cameras used at the scene were rented, rather than purchased, which has cast doubts on the college’s financial practices.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed at 11:45 a.m. the day after the incident, by which time the victim’s body had already been cremated. He also revealed that the videography of the crime scene was only conducted after considerable pressure from senior doctors and the victim’s colleagues, who suspected foul play.
In light of these revelations, the Supreme Court has ordered the Kolkata Police officer who initially recorded the case to appear at the next hearing. The officer is expected to provide a detailed account of the timing and procedures followed during the investigation.
The court’s actions highlight the gravity of the situation and underscore the need for transparency and accountability in handling sensitive cases involving serious allegations. The ongoing scrutiny aims to ensure that justice is served and that any procedural lapses are promptly addressed.
