RG Kar rape-murder case: SC directs to place on record the report of National Task Force on next date

New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday sought to place on record the report of the National Task Force in regards to safety and other issues related to professionals in the matter regarding the rape and murder of a PG trainee doctor at Kolkata-based RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra direction came when it was hearing the suo motu petition relating to Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Earlier, the top court has constituted a National Task Force to look into safety and other issue and consider to prepare action plan relating to prevent gender-based violence, dignified working space for interns, resident, non resident doctors. The top court had asked National Task Force to submit an interim report.

During the course of the hearing, the Supreme Court sought to know what steps have been taken by the West Bengal government in regard to the installation of CCTV cameras, toilet construction and biometrics.

The top court asked why the progress was so tardy. Senior Advocate Dwivedi for WB replied that logistical delays happened due to floods but assured that things will be completed by October 15. SC also notes the status report by West Bengal, which indicates the ongoing work.

During the hearing, Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the victim’s parents, apprised the Supreme Court that a lot of social media posts disclosing names and photos of the victim are available, which is very alarming.

Advocate Vrinda Grover also informed SC about a YouTube movie that will be released tomorrow, which says that the movie is based on the incident.

Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy, appearing for one of the parties connected to the case, also informed SC that reels are being made using artificial intelligence and with Hindi songs.

Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani submitted about a senior police officer who revealed the name of the victim.

After hearing the submission, the top court again reiterated its direction to all social media intermediaries to remove all the posts that reveal the name and identity of the victim.

The Supreme Court said its earlier order should not be confined to Wikipedia but for all social media intermediaries not to disclose the name and identity of the victims.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the SC that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will appoint a nodal official to check such posts and any uploading of unauthorized publication will be taken down and necessary action will be taken.

In the meantime, the top court took notes of the status report by the CBI and said that substantial leads have come from the probe agency investigation and says let Central Bureau Investigation continue its probing.

SC noted the CBI probe gives information on both aspects – rape incidents in the hospital and financial irregularities in the RG Kar medical institute.

The SC notes CBI’s report shows that the injury was accelerated because of braces and glasses the victim was wearing.

Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Indira Jaisingh said that RG kar incident is not simple rape and murder case and informed SC that he has four names who arrived at the place of crime and among them some are elected members of the council.

Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy submitted before SC a lot of people mentioned in CBI in connection with financial irregularities are holding positions of power and calls it the reason behind the existing threat culture.

Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy urged the SC that such people should be suspended temporarily till investigation is over.

The Supreme Court asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to apprise on the next date of hearing about the people, under investigation for financial irregularities, still employed in RG Kar Hospital.

Senior Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi for West Bengal Government assured the SC that if CBI shares any information of such person, state government will take action against the people, who are under probe by the CBI in connection with RG kar case, as per law, service rules and regulations.

After hearing the matter for a length, the top court adjourned it for further hearing after Dussehra vacation.

The top court has taken suo motu cognisance on the rape and murder of a doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal.