SC directs CBI to submit new status report by September 17

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the CBI to submit a fresh report by September 17 on the investigation into the rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud examined the report submitted in a sealed envelope by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, acting for the CBI.

“The CBI has filed a status report. It appears that the investigation is underway. We direct the CBI to file a fresh status report… We do not wish to give any direction to the CBI in its investigation,” the court said.

Mehta told the bench, also comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, that the investigating agency had decided to send forensic samples to AIIMS for further examination.

The Supreme Court also directed a senior official of the Home Department, Government of West Bengal, and a senior CISF officer to ensure that accommodation is provided to all three CISF companies deputed for the security of RG Kar Hospital.

It was also ordered that all security equipment required by the CISF should be handed over to them today.

The government of West Bengal initially informed the Supreme Court that 23 people had died during a doctors' strike in protest against the rape and murder of the medical doctor.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, submitted a status report of the state health department.

“A status report has been submitted. The state health department has submitted a report. 23 people have died due to the doctors' strike,” Sibal told the court.

The hearing is still ongoing.

On August 22, the Supreme Court had slammed the Kolkata Police for the delay in registering the unnatural death of the doctor raped and killed at RG Kar Hospital. It called it “extremely disturbing” and questioned the sequence of events and the timing of the procedural formalities.

The top court had earlier set up a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to develop a protocol to ensure the safety of doctors and other medical professionals.

The Supreme Court described the incident as “appalling” and criticised the delay in filing the complaint by the state government and the fact that thousands of people vandalised the government facility.

The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in a seminar room at the state hospital has sparked nationwide protests.

The body of the paramedic with severe injuries was found in the seminar room of the hospital's pulmonary department on August 9. The following day, a volunteer was arrested by the Calcutta police in connection with the case.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Calcutta Police to the CBI, which began its investigation on August 14.