Kolkata rape: SC flags delay in registering unnatural death
SC said it was surprising that the postmortem of the deceased was conducted on 9 August between 6.10pm to 7.10pm before the registration of case as unnatural death
PTI
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An SC bench during hearing on a suo moto case related to the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, at Supreme Court in New Delhi on Thursday. PHOTO: PTI
New Delhi, 22 Aug
The Supreme Court
on Thursday termed “extremely disturbing” the Kolkata Police’s delay in
registering the unnatural death of the woman doctor who was raped and murdered
at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. It also asked protesting doctors to
resume work and assured them that no adverse action would be taken after they
rejoin.
Questioning the
sequence and timing of legal formalities conducted by police, a bench
comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said it was very surprising that the
postmortem of the deceased was conducted on 9 August between 6.10pm to 7.10pm
before the registration of case as unnatural death.
"How was it
that the post-mortem was conducted at 6.10pm on 9 August and yet the unnatural
death information is sent to Tala police station at 11.30pm on 9 August. This
is extremely disturbing," the bench, also comprising Justice JB Pardiwala
and Manoj Misra, said.
It directed the
Kolkata Police officer, who registered the first entry about the rape-murder
that has shocked the country, to appear in the next hearing and disclose the
time of the entry.
Solicitor General
Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, told the top court that the most shocking
fact is that the FIR was registered at 11.45pm after the postgraduate medic was
cremated. "State police told parents it was suicide, then they said it was
murder. Victim's friend suspected cover up and insisted on videography,"
Mehta told the bench.
As the hearing
commenced, the top court asked protesting doctors to resume work, and assured
them that no adverse action will be taken against them after they rejoin.
The apex court was
told by the counsel for resident doctors at AIIMS Nagpur that they are being
victimised for protesting over the Kolkata rape-murder case. "Once they
get back to duty, we will prevail upon authorities to not take adverse action.
How will public health infrastructure run if the doctors do not work?" the
bench asked. “If there is difficulty after that, come to us… but let them first
report to work,” it said.
The top court said
its heart goes out to all patients visiting public hospitals. It assured
doctors' associations that the National Task Force will hear all stakeholders.
The brutal assault
and murder of the junior doctor has sparked nationwide protests. Her body was
found with severe injury marks inside the seminar hall of the state-run
hospital's chest department. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata
Police in connection with the case the following day on 10 August.
On 13 August, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on 14 August.
CISF team visits RG Kar Medical College
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