Supreme Court to hear Kolkata rape-murder case today, doctors may resume strike

Today's hearing in the Supreme Court is anticipated to be crucial, as junior doctors have indicated that their decision to resume the ceasework protest will depend on the government's submission in the court.

In Short

• Doctors' to decide on resuming ceasework protest after hearing in Supreme Court
• Bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud to hear RG Kar Medical college case
• Junior doctors hold rally in Kolkata ahead of top court hearing

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a petition on Monday concerning the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The outcome of today's proceedings is expected to be crucial, as the doctors at RG Kar Medical College have stated that they will decide on resuming their ceasework protest based on the government's submissions regarding their safety and security at work.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will hear the case, which the top court took up suo motu. The hearing, initially set for September 27, was rescheduled to Monday at the request of the West Bengal government.

In the previous hearing on September 17, the Supreme Court stated that it had reviewed a report from the CBI concerning the incident at RG Kar Medical College and found it "disturbing". However, the court opted not to disclose any details, citing concerns that it could jeopardise the ongoing investigation.

Regarding the progress of the probe, the Supreme Court remarked that the central agency was not "sleeping over" the investigation and emphasised that it needs adequate time to "unearth the truth".

"What the CBI has revealed in the report is really disturbing. What you are flagging is of utmost concern. We ourselves are concerned, the CBI has flagged it for us. We are ourselves disturbed by what we have read," the top court said, in response to a lawyer's claim of discrepancies in the seizure list and sketch of the crime scene.

The West Bengal government informed the court that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured junior doctors that no adverse or punitive action would be taken against those who return to work. The Supreme Court had previously urged the doctors to resume their duties while considering the case.

Additionally, the top court requested a status report from the CBI regarding its investigation into financial irregularities allegedly committed by Sandip Ghosh, the jailed former principal of the Kolkata medical college.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, junior doctors from various government hospitals, along with members of the public, participated in torch rallies across Kolkata. The doctors stated that they would decide on resuming their complete ceasework in medical colleges after evaluating the state government's submission concerning their safety and security at the workplaces during the Supreme Court hearing. They alleged that the attacks at the state-run hospital highlighted the state government's "total failure" to fulfil its promises regarding their security.

The tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 19 sparked widespread outrage, leading the doctors to protest for improved facilities and safety measures. The investigation was later transferred to the CBI from the Kolkata Police by order of the High Court.