SC transfers RG Kar Medical College Rape-murder case to Calcutta High Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday transferred all further proceedings related to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to the Calcutta High Court, marking a return to the normal judicial process after months of apex court monitoring.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma directed that the entire case record be sent to the high court and ordered that a copy of the latest status report be provided to the victim’s parents. The top court had taken suo motu cognisance of the case in 2024, following nationwide outrage over the crime and concerns over the safety of medical professionals.

In legal terms, when a court takes suo motu cognisance , it means the court initiates proceedings on its own , without any formal petition or complaint being filed by a party. Courts usually do this in exceptional cases involving grave crimes, constitutional issues, or matters of large public interest, such as violations of fundamental rights or threats to public safety.

In the RG Kar Medical College case, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance because of the seriousness of the crime and nationwide concern over the safety of doctors , allowing it to monitor the matter and issue broader directions even though no one had directly approached the court.

The case pertains to the brutal rape and murder of a young trainee doctor whose body was found in a seminar room of the government-run hospital on August 9, 2024. The incident triggered widespread protests by doctors across West Bengal and other parts of the country, disrupting medical services and drawing attention to unsafe working conditions in hospitals.

The Kolkata Police investigated the case and arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, on August 10, 2024. The investigation was never transferred to the CBI. After a full trial, a Kolkata court on January 20, 2025, convicted Roy and awarded him life imprisonment till death.

While taking suo motu notice of the matter, the Supreme Court had gone beyond the criminal trial to examine broader systemic issues arising from the crime. On August 20, 2024, it constituted a National Task Force to frame a national protocol to ensure the safety and security of doctors and healthcare workers. The apex court also monitored ancillary issues, including the impact of prolonged protests and the regularisation of unauthorised absence of medical staff.

With the investigation and trial now complete and the accused already convicted, the Supreme Court decided to step back from direct supervision. The bench noted that any future legal proceedings, including appeals against the conviction or related procedural matters, fall within the jurisdiction of the Calcutta High Court, which is the appropriate forum under criminal law.

The transfer, the court indicated, reflects judicial discipline and efficiency, allowing the matter to proceed within the established court hierarchy while ensuring that the victim’s family remains informed of developments.