Kolkata rape-murder case: SC flags ‘14 hour delay’ in filing FIR
The court further directed the Kolkata Police officer to appear at the next hearing and reveal the exact time of the entry.
Kolkata rape-murder case latest news: The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the West Bengal government about the “14-hour delay” in filing the First Information Report (FIR) related to the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, raised concerns about the former principal of the medical college, asking, "Who was in touch with the principal of RG Kar Medical College? Why did he delay the FIR? What was the purpose?"
Representing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta claimed that the senior doctors at the Kolkata hospital, along with the victim's colleagues, were asked a videograph, indicating that they, too, suspected a “cover-up.”
"The victim's father insisted on registering an FIR. The hospital does not register the FIR. The father insisted and got the FIR registered. The FIR is lodged after the cremation. This is an attempt to cover up. We entered the probe on day five, everything was altered by then," said Mehta.
The Supreme Court questioned the timing of the police's legal formalities. It said that the post-mortem was conducted between “6:10 pm and 7:10 pm on August 9,” even before the case of unnatural death was officially registered.
“How was it that the post-mortem was conducted at 6:10 pm on August 9, and yet the unnatural death information was sent to the Tala police station at 11:30 pm on August 9? This is extremely disturbing,” the bench said.
The court further directed the Kolkata Police officer to appear at the next hearing and reveal the exact time of the entry.
SC asks Centre to ensure safety of doctors
The SC bench said peaceful protests regarding the Kolkata horror “must not be disrupted by the West Bengal government.” "When we say peaceful protesters will not be disturbed, we also mean proper protocol will be followed," the top court said, adding that no coercive action should be taken against doctors for protesting.
Additionally, the court asked all parties involved in the case not to politicize the matter and that the law will take its course.
The SC bench also directed the Union Health Ministry Secretary to create a portal where stakeholders can submit suggestions to the National Task Force (NTF) on doctor safety.
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