SC takes suo moto cognisance of Kolkata doctor’s rape, murder
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to hear matter on Tuesday
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognisance of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last week.
As per the cause list published on the website of the apex court, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud will take up the matter titled “Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, and related issues” on Tuesday.
The bench also comprises Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra. On Friday, a letter petition was addressed to CJI Chandrachud, urging the apex court to take suo moto cognisance of the incident and issue directions for an immediate and impartial investigation.
It also prayed for guidelines to enhance security measures at medical colleges and hospitals across the country to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, and for framing comprehensive guidelines for the protection of medical professionals and institutions.
The letter petition filed by Monica Singh, a dcotor by profession, through her advocate Satayam Singh pleaded the apex court to exercise judicial oversight in the RG Kar matter to ensure that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and impartially.
“The attack on the R.G. Kar Medical College was not merely an isolated incident of violence, but a direct assault on the healthcare system of our nation,” the plea read.