Calcutta HC division bench recuses itself from RG Kar rape-murder case

A division bench of the Calcutta High Court comprising Justices Raja Sekhar Mantha and Rai Chattopadhyay on Tuesday recused itself from hearing proceedings related to the RG Kar rape and murder case. During the hearing, the Central Bureau of Investigation submitted a progress report in a sealed envelope, while counsel representing the victim’s family alleged that no fresh investigation had been conducted by the agency.

The bench observed that adequate time could not be devoted to the matter because of other pending cases before the court. Justice Raja Sekhar Mantha stated that the matter should be referred to the Chief Justice and indicated that a commission could be formed if required. The bench further observed that proper justice must be ensured as the case involved the victim’s family, the convicted accused, and the CBI’s petition.

The division bench had earlier been hearing petitions related to the alleged larger conspiracy angle in the rape and murder case involving a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August 2024. The bench had also recently permitted the CBI to re-interrogate convicted accused Sanjoy Roy and question other individuals if necessary as part of the investigation.

The matter is now expected to be reassigned to another division bench by the Chief Justice on the administrative side. Earlier as well, another division bench comprising Justices Debangshu Basak and Md. Shabbar Rashidi had withdrawn from hearing the matter following roster-related changes concerning criminal cases.