RG Kar victim’s parents withdraw plea for fresh probe before Supreme Court

The parents of the victim in the RG Kar rape and murder case withdrew their petition for a fresh investigation before the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The petition, filed as an intervention application in a suo motu case, had sought a reinvestigation into the crime, citing claims of tampered evidence and the involvement of multiple individuals. The withdrawal occurred after the conviction of Sanjay Roy, the sole accused in the case, who was sentenced to life imprisonment on January 20, by the Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court.

Senior advocate Karuna Nundy, representing the victim's parents, sought permission from the Court to withdraw the application. The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, granted the permission, noting that the petition had been filed before the trial court's conviction. The bench also observed that a similar plea for further investigation was pending before the Calcutta High Court. The Court emphasized the importance of caution in presenting arguments post-conviction, advising the petitioners to consider the implications of their submissions.

Sanjay Roy was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of the victim, which occurred in August 2024 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident sparked widespread protests, particularly among medical professionals, who demanded the death penalty for Roy, citing the brutal nature of the crime. There have also been repeated calls for a reinvestigation, with concerns over the handling of the case by the Kolkata police, including allegations that crucial evidence was destroyed during the initial five-day investigation.

The Supreme Court, having taken suo motu cognizance of the case in August 2024, issued several directives. One of the key decisions involved the formation of a National Task Force (NTF) to formulate protocols aimed at enhancing safety for medical personnel, especially female workers, in hospitals. The NTF is tasked with overseeing the installation of CCTV cameras at entry and exit points of hospitals and establishing internal complaints committees to address sexual harassment. Additionally, the Court clarified that the absence of protesting medical workers would not be treated as absence from duty, provided they adhered to earlier Court orders.

In the aftermath of the conviction, the legal and medical communities continue to focus on the broader implications of the case. The Calcutta High Court is set to hear the petition for a larger investigation, while protests over the treatment of the case and demands for stricter punishments persist. The case also remains central to ongoing discussions about the safety of medical personnel, particularly female doctors, and the effectiveness of legal mechanisms in addressing crimes against them.