NEW DELHI: In a latest development in the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, the Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has dismissed arguments related to the presence of 151 grams of semen in the victim's body. This case involves the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
During the proceedings on Thursday, Chief Justice Chandrachud criticized the use of social media arguments in the courtroom. “Don’t use social media arguments in court. We have the post-mortem report, and we understand what the 151 mg refers to,” he stated.
Key takeaways from the hearing include:
The Supreme Court has instructed a Kolkata Police officer, who recorded the initial report of the incident, to appear at the next hearing and explain the timeline. The Court has refuted the gangrape theory, clarifying that the semen found in the victim’s body was 151 milliliters, not grams. Questions were raised about the sequence and timing of legal procedures, including the registration of the unnatural death and the post-mortem examination. The Court expressed surprise that the post-mortem was conducted before the case was officially registered as an unnatural death. The delay by the Kolkata Police in recording the unnatural death was described as “extremely disturbing.”The Court noted that the victim’s friend had suspected a cover-up and insisted on videography, according to information presented by the CBI. It was revealed that the state police initially told the victim’s family it was a suicide, later changing their statement to murder. The FIR was registered at 11:45 PM, after the body had been cremated, as reported by SG Tushar Mehta.
The Supreme Court questioned the operation of public health infrastructure if doctors fail to fulfill their duties and expressed concern for patients visiting public hospitals.
The case has garnered nationwide attention and protests following the discovery of the medic’s body with severe injuries in a seminar hall at the state-run hospital on August 9. The Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer in connection with the case the following day. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation to the CBI, which commenced its probe on August 14.
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