Kolkata doctor rape-murder: Supreme Court orders Wikipedia to remove name, photo of victim; updates

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court is hearing the suo motu case over the horrific rape and murder of Kolkata PG trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The three-judge bench, led by CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra directed the CBI to file status report on the probe so far on the alleged financial irregularities in the medical departments and ordered Wikipedia to remove the name and photo of the victim.

“The governing principle is that identity of the victim in rape and murder shall not be disclosed. Wikipedia shall therefore comply with the previous order passed (regarding this),” the CJI said.

Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, requested to not live-stream the RG Kar Supreme Court hearing, stating that “matters like this have huge immotive implications...we are not representing the accused” and that those representing the state government were getting threats through social media platforms. To which the Chief Justice of India said: “It is a matter of public interest and hence an open court”. He further assured Kapil Sibal that the apex court will take steps if there are any threats to lawyers and others.

The CJI DY Chandrachud said that “making a disclosure today of what the CBI is investigating will jeopardise the process, the line which is taken by the CBI is to unearth the truth...We have seen status report and CBI has responded all of the issues we have raised, include whether the challan was given, what was the process of PMR, whether evidence was destroyed, if any complicity by other person etc”, the Live Law reported.

The Supreme Court directed the agitating junior doctors to resume work from September 10 as the state-run medical facilities have been crippled after the gruesome murder of Kolkata doctor came to light on August 9. However, the doctors defied the court order and continued cease work. Yesterday, after the meeting with the chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the doctors reiterated that the protests will resume until the CM's assurances materialise.

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We have to give CBI adequate time: SC

West Bengal police told the top court that “nothing related to crime, including CCTV footage, remains with them, and that everything has been already handed over to CBI”. Taking note of this, the Supreme Court said: “Nobody can say that CBI destroyed anything related to the crime scene or 27 minutes of CCTV footage.”

Under the new criminal laws, victims of crime against women are entitled to regular updates on the progress of their case within 90 days. The law also states that the rape victims’ statement should be recorded by a woman police officer in presence of her guardian and medical reports have to come within seven days.

“There is still time to complete the investigation. We have to give CBI adequate time, they are not sleeping over. They are required to be given time to unearth the truth,” the CJI said. The hearing is ongoing.

Steps taken by West Bengal Govt

Sibal informed the court that the additional toilets and CCTV cameras installation will be completed in 7-14 days. In response the CJI said: “We are in a situation where there is lack of security for medical doctors, the state should have at least police in the govt hospitals .......we are dealing with young interns, students, they are staying our of home and coming to Kolkata to work, tell us what you are doing for them.”

Responding to this, Sibal said that the state government has increased women security personnel in medical hospitals and they are also undergoing training.