The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to transfer the rape and murder trial pertaining to a doctor in Kolkata outside West Bengal. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said the trial court judge had sufficient powers to order another investigation upon feeling it necessary after examining the evidence.

The top court also examined the sixth status report filed by the CBI in relation to the case of rape and murder at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, but refrained from making observations saying the probe was underway.  The apex court noted that a Kolkata court had framed charges against prime accused, Sanjay Roy, on November 4 and a day-to-day trial in the case would start November 11 onwards.

During the hearing, the National Task Force (NTF), formed to create a protocol over the safety of health professionals, submitted its report in the apex court. The top court directed the NTF’s report to be shared with all states and union territories and posted the hearing after four weeks. The top court on October 15 questioned the West Bengal government over the hiring of civic volunteers in the state and sought data on their recruitment and appointment process.              

On August 22, the SC pulled up the Kolkata police over the delay in registering the case of unnatural death of the deceased, calling it “extremely disturbing” while frowning upon the sequence of events and the timing of its procedural formalities.  The top court had constituted a 10-member NTF to formulate a protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals. Terming the incident as “horrific,” the SC court had censured the state government over the alleged delay in filing of the FIR and allowing a crowd of thousands to vandalise the state-run facility.