North News

New Delhi, August 22
In a strongly worded order on Thursday, the Supreme Court expressed deep concern over the Kolkata Police’s delayed response in registering the unnatural death of a female doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Supreme Court described the delay as “extremely disturbing.”

During the hearing, a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud questioned the timing of the legal procedures conducted by the police. According to media reports, the bench found it surprising that the postmortem of the victim was carried out on August 9 between 6:10 PM and 7:10 PM, yet the police registered the case as an unnatural death only at 11:30 PM the same day, the news outlet Hindustan Times reported.

“How was it that the postmortem was conducted at 6:10 PM on August 9, and yet the unnatural death information was sent to Tala police station at 11:30 PM? This is extremely disturbing,” remarked the bench, which also included Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, the news outlet said.

The Supreme Court has also directed the Kolkata Police officer who first documented the rape-murder case to appear at the next hearing and disclose the exact time of the initial entry. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed at 11:45 PM, after the postgraduate medical student had already been cremated, the news outlet said.

Mehta also pointed out discrepancies in the state police’s communication with the victim’s parents. Initially, the police claimed it was a suicide, then later said it was murder. The victim’s friend suspected a cover-up and insisted on videography, further complicating the case.

In addition to addressing the legal aspects, the Supreme Court urged the doctors who are currently protesting to resume work, assuring them that no punitive actions would be taken upon their return, according to Hindustan Times.