R.G. Kar case: Junior doctors welcome SC nod to pursue plea for fresh probe at HC

Kolkata junior doctors welcome Supreme Court nod for fresh probe into doctor's rape and murder at RGKMCH.

Junior doctors of Kolkata, who organised large-scale protests for justice for the doctor’s rape and murder at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) last year, welcomed the Supreme Court’s permission to pursue a petition for a fresh probe before the Calcutta High Court.

On Monday (March 17, 2025), the Supreme Court heard the suo moto case of the rape and murder of a female doctor on duty at the State-run RGKMCH in Kolkata. While the bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna dismissed the victim’s parents’ plea for a fresh probe into their daughter’s rape and murder by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), it permitted them to pursue a writ petition before a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court. 

Welcoming the Supreme Court’s nod, Aniket Mahato, a resident doctor at RGKMCH and President of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF), raised questions about whether justice has been served for the victim.

“After a long seven months, where is justice? We strongly believe that more than one person is involved in this incident… According to the CSFL report, mixed DNA has been mentioned. The extent of injury in the report by the Multi-Institutional Medical Board indicates the possibility of more than one person being involved. Moreover, where is the supplementary chargesheet that carries information on the larger conspiracy and hush up?” Dr. Mahato told The Hindu.

He added that he welcomes the Calcutta High Court to help resolve the public’s unanswered questions and bring to light the motives of all the culprits, bolstering the path to justice.

Resident doctor at RGKMCH and member of WBJDF Kinjal Nanda echoed similar sentiments. 

“We have faith in the Calcutta High Court. From the beginning, one of our initial demands was for the probe to be conducted under judicial monitoring. Even though Sanjay Roy has been convicted of the rape and murder, his motive and the reason behind the evidence tampering during the investigation is still unknown,” Dr. Nanda said.