Supreme Court’s Guidance for Further Inquiry and High Court’s Function
Whether the High Court is able to receive petitions filed calling for further probes into the sad event at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Supreme Court has made a significant ruling regarding this issue. The nation’s apex court has made it clear in its order that the High Court can consider fresh petitions over the RG Kar incident probe and related legal procedures, subject to certain conditions.
Facts of the Supreme Court’s Directive
The Supreme Court said in its directive that the CBI is working as the principal investigating agency in the RG Kar case, and no hurdles should be put in this investigation. But the High Court can invoke its jurisdiction to direct further investigation or issue fresh directions with a view to enhancing the quality of the investigation.
Supreme Court Justice Susmita Bose stated, “We do not want to intervene in the CBI probe. But if there is more information or new facets that come out in the context of this case, the High Court can pass orders on those issues. Our aim is to find out the truth and establish justice.”
Role and Duties of the High Court
Pursuant to this Supreme Court mandate, the High Court shall be able to entertain new petitions on the RG Kar case if they meet the following requirements:
- The issue stated in the petition is not already encompassed under the CBI investigation.
- The petition is information that has not yet been disclosed before.
- The petition can aid the court’s judicial process.
- The petition does not contravene the CBI investigation.
Calcutta High Court Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay remarked, “We will abide by the Supreme Court’s direction. If any new information or angle is brought out that can assist in the probe of this incident, we will definitely hear it.”
Current Status of the RG Kar Incident
This such a sad occurrence at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital had shaken the entire nation. As per the latest progress of the CBI inquiry, some suspects were arrested until now, and the inquiry continues.
CBI spokesman Sudip Chakraborty mentioned, “Our investigation is going swiftly and neutrally. We are scrutinizing all leads and evidence and shall soon report on the subsequent process of the inquiry.”
Opinions of Legal Professionals
Legal professionals have hailed this directive of the Supreme Court. Senior Kolkata lawyer Anil Roy stated, “This is a rational directive. The High Court has been accorded the facility to carry out further investigation with the autonomy of the CBI investigation intact, which will help fortify the justice process.”
A further attorney, Suman Das, averred, “This directive will bring about coordination between the High Court and the CBI. This will enhance the quality of the probe and render the judicial process transparent.
The kin of the RG Kar victims welcome this Supreme Court order. The father of the victim, Rabindranath Chattopadhyay, stated, “We want justice only. If the High Court is issuing a directive for more investigation, then we hope and pray that the truth will come out.”
The mother of the victim, Malati Chattopadhyay, asserted, “We will carry on with the struggle. We want the culprits to get the right kind of punishment.
Protests and demonstrations were witnessed throughout the country following the RG Kar incident. Different social organizations and civil society members have protested against this incident.
Kolkata social worker Sukanya Mukhopadhyay said, “We welcome this directive from the Supreme Court. It will ensure that the investigation process is proceeding correctly and no aspect is being neglected.”
Government Reaction
On behalf of the state government, Minister Debashis Mukhopadhyay stated, “We will follow the Supreme Court’s order. Our intention is to punish the guilty and take steps so that such incidents don’t happen in the future.”
The Central Home Ministry spokesperson stated, “The central government is cooperating fully with the CBI probe. We are being updated regularly about the investigation progress.”
Influence of the Supreme Court’s Directive
In the RG Kar Case, Can the HC Hear Petitions Demanding Further Investigation? Supreme Court Issues Major Directive
It is the opinion of legal experts that this Supreme Court directive will inject fresh zeal into the probe into the RG Kar incident. Calcutta University’s Law Department Professor Anindya Chattopadhyay stated, “This directive will give the scope to inquire into each and every aspect of the investigation. This will enhance the quality of the investigation and strengthen the process of justice.”
Influence of this Directive in Other States
It is felt that this directive of the Supreme Court will impact similar case investigations not just in West Bengal but across the nation as well. Delhi High Court attorney Rajesh Sharma added, “This directive has created a precedent. Hereafter, coordination between state courts and central investigating agencies will be more harmonious.”
In the RG Kar Case, Can the HC Hear Petitions Demanding Further
Supreme Court’s Next Steps
The Supreme Court has asked for fortnightly reports on the investigation progress of the RG Kar incident. The CBI will file progress reports on the investigation every two weeks as per the court’s order.
