NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday transferred proceedings related to the rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to the Calcutta High Court, directing it to monitor the implementation of the apex court’s earlier orders in the case.A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma ordered that all case papers be sent to the Calcutta High Court and asked its chief justice to place the matter before an appropriate division bench.The top court also directed that a copy of the latest status report be provided to the victim’s parents.The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of the case in August 2024 following nationwide outrage over the crime. While the main criminal trial has concluded, the court said related issues can now be effectively examined by a constitutional court in West Bengal.Senior advocate Karuna Nundy, appearing for associations of junior and senior doctors, said, “I am representing the doctors of West Bengal. NTF was constituted to formulate effective recommendations to remedy the issues pertaining to the safety and well-being of medical professionals. Only one hearing is required to wrap this matter.”She said the task force was set up to evolve a national consensus and that only one more hearing would be required to conclude the matter.The bench noted that the ancillary issues arising from the case, including those linked to doctors’ working conditions and administrative measures, could now be overseen by the Calcutta High Court.The body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was found in a seminar room of RG Kar Medical College on August 9 last year. The Kolkata Police arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, the following day. On January 20, a Kolkata trial court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment till death.The crime sparked widespread protests by doctors and civil society groups in West Bengal and other parts of the country, with demands for stricter safety measures in hospitals and faster justice.Although the primary conviction has been secured, the Supreme Court has continued to monitor several connected issues, including the regularisation of the unauthorised absence of doctors during protests.In November last year, the National Task Force submitted its report as part of the Union government’s affidavit. The panel concluded that a separate central law to deal with offences against healthcare professionals was not necessary, stating that existing state laws and provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 were adequate to address both minor and serious offences.The task force also noted that 24 states have enacted specific laws to tackle violence against healthcare professionals, clearly defining healthcare institutions and medical professionals.The case was initially investigated by the Kolkata Police but was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation on August 13 after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the state police probe.The Supreme Court assumed oversight of the matter on August 19, 2024.
