Agencies and KalimNews, March 17, 2025, New Delhi : In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a plea by the parents of the victim in the Kolkata trainee doctor rape and murder case, seeking a reinvestigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The apex court, while acknowledging the plea, allowed the victim’s parents to approach the Calcutta High Court for further legal proceedings.
The case, which has deeply affected the city of Kolkata, pertains to the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor within the premises of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim was found dead on August 9, 2024, in a seminar hall on the third floor of the hospital. Sanjay Roy, a former civic volunteer working at the hospital, was arrested shortly after and was convicted by the Sealdah court in January 2025. Roy was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of the heinous crime.
However, the victim’s parents have raised concerns over the investigation, suggesting that there might be other individuals involved in the crime who have not been questioned by the authorities. They have pushed for further investigation by the CBI, arguing that staff members who were present on the third floor during the incident were not adequately interrogated. In response, the Supreme Court directed that the parents could pursue their case in the Calcutta High Court but refrained from ordering a fresh CBI probe at this stage. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, stated that the petitioners were free to seek relief from the state judiciary.
In the wake of the tragic incident, Kolkata witnessed widespread protests, with junior doctors staging a boycott of their duties for several weeks. Civil society also rallied in the streets, calling for justice for the victim. Two rallies earlier this month marked seven months since the crime, with participants demanding accountability from all those involved in the incident. These rallies were also a platform to condemn a separate incident involving the Education Minister of West Bengal, Bratya Basu, who was accused of injuring a student during a protest.
The Calcutta High Court had earlier ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which concluded that Sanjay Roy was the sole perpetrator. Despite this, the victim’s family has continued to push for further scrutiny of the case, including the involvement of hospital staff. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate is also investigating financial irregularities within the hospital and has arrested the former principal, Sandip Ghosh, in connection with the case.
As the legal battle continues, the family of the deceased doctor remains determined to uncover the truth and bring justice for their daughter, with hopes that further investigation will uncover all those responsible for the tragic crime.
