New Delhi [India], March 17: The Supreme Court of India on Monday granted the parents of the victim in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case the liberty to approach the Calcutta High Court regarding their plea for further investigation into the case. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna, noted that a single judge bench of the Calcutta High Court is already monitoring the case.
The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case concerning the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim’s parents, represented by Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy, had sought clarification from the apex court about their ongoing case filed before the Calcutta High Court.
After hearing their plea, the CJI-led bench allowed the parents to approach the High Court and disposed of the petition filed before the Supreme Court. The parents had earlier filed a plea with the top court seeking a fresh investigation into the case, which was withdrawn in January 2025. This was after a similar case had been filed before the Calcutta High Court.
The victim’s parents had originally filed an Intervention Application (IA) in the suo motu case registered by the Supreme Court in August 2024, a few days after the incident took place. However, during the hearing in January 2025, CJI Khanna had questioned the need for the Supreme Court to proceed with the case, as a similar plea had already been made before the Calcutta High Court.
In the January 2025 hearing, the Supreme Court had suggested that the parents withdraw the plea and file a fresh one, noting that the original plea had been submitted before the trial and conviction of the accused. Subsequently, the parents withdrew their plea, with permission to file a new one as per the court’s instructions.
In January 2025, Sanjoy Roy, the sole accused in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court. The decision sparked widespread protests, especially among doctors and medical professionals, many of whom have called for the death penalty for Roy.
There have also been calls for a reinvestigation into the case, with concerns raised about the conduct of the initial investigation. The case continues to be under scrutiny, with the Calcutta High Court overseeing its progress.