Prosecution witnesses to complete testifying in R.G. Kar trial early next week, SC told

Supreme Court hears updates on prosecution of trainee doctor's murder case, discusses safety measures for medical personnel.

The Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday (December 10, 2024) that the prosecution expects to complete the examination of all 53 of its witnesses in the gruesome murder and rape of a trainee doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata early next week.

The case prosecuted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the Sealdah Special Court has already seen 43 witnesses testify on a day-to-day basis from Monday (December 9, 2024) to Thursday (December 10, 2024) at 2 p.m. Once the prosecution witnesses testify, the court would move on to proceedings under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which involves the trial judge putting questions, if any, to the accused, who could also present defence witnesses.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar orally asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central agency, whether it should record in its order that the trial would be completed in a month’s time. Mr. Mehta voiced caution, saying that the CBI intended to file a supplementary chargesheet on the charges of destruction of evidence.

The top court, later on, recorded the submission of advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for the victim’s parents, that the parties must be given liberty to approach it in case the trial suffers a hiccup and is delayed.

Ms. Grover said the parents were traumatised, and expressed hope that the Central agency would “uncover” every aspect of the truth to the last grain. Mr. Mehta said the CBI was informing the parents about every development. “We are doing our job honestly,” Mr. Mehta assured the court.

Senior advocates Indira Jaising and Karuna Nundy, appearing for doctors’ associations, drew attention to the report submitted by the National Task Force (NTF), constituted on the orders of the apex court to better the safety and working conditions of medical personnel in government establishments.

Ms. Jaising pressed for the formation of an independent agency to monitor the implementation of the various NTF recommendations.