Kolkata Murder Supreme Court Hearing Highlights: Court extends ex-RG Kar principal Ghosh, cop's custody by 3 days

The agitating junior doctors are yet to decide on whether to call off their 'cease work' and rejoin work, despite the West Bengal government appointing senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma as the new Kolkata Police commissioner, replacing Vineet Goyal, fulfilling one of the key demands of the protesters. The state government also removed Director of Health Services (DHS) Debashis Halder, Director of Medical Education (DME) Kaustav Nayak and Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police's North Division Abhishek Gupta, a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with the agitating medics and agreed to their demands in a bid to resolve the more than a month-long impasse over the RG Kar hospital incident.

The governing body meeting of the medics to take a call on the 'cease work', which started around 6.30 pm, is still underway, one of the protesting doctors said.

"We are holding this meeting to decide on whether to continue with our 'cease work', as some of our demands have been fulfilled by the state government," he told PTI.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday asserted that the "anti-woman" nature of the state government "stands exposed", following its recent circular that prescribed night duty avoidance for women doctors and capping their working hours to 12 hours at a time. Adhikari's comments came shortly after the Supreme Court on Tuesday took objection to the West Bengal government's 'Rattirer Saathi' programme, while hearing the rape-murder case of a woman doctor at state-run RG Kar hospital in Kolkata.

After the top court's objection, the state government told the bench that it would withdraw the notification for women doctors.

Adhikari said the programme was a "regressive" move and "discriminating".

"How can the state differentiate between men and women? This government has failed to provide security to women, and by these actions, it is proving its anti-woman outlook," the senior BJP leader asserted.

Agitating junior doctors in West Bengal held a meeting on Tuesday evening to decide on their ongoing 'cease work' and protests demanding justice for the woman medic, who was raped and murdered at RG Kar hospital last month. The governing body meeting of the medics, which started around 6.30 pm, is still underway, one of the protesting doctors said.

"We are holding this meeting to decide on whether to continue with our 'cease work', as some of our demands have been fulfilled by the state government," he told PTI.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Monday night announced the removal of the Kolkata police commissioner, the director of health services and the director of medical education, giving in to the demands of the protesting junior doctors.

CBI custody of RG Kar hospital's former principal Sandip Ghosh and police officer Abhijit Mondal extended by three days by Sealdah court.

Ghosh and Mondal, the officer-in-charge of the Tala police station, were interrogated by the CBI on Monday and were asked to detail their activities on August 9 immediately after they got the news about the doctor being found dead at the hospital.

In the fall of 2010, as political tides were turning in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, the opposition leader and then railway minister, strongly criticized Manoj Verma, the police chief of Paschim Medinipur. She accused him of being a "CPM agent" due to his actions against opposition activities and pledged to force him to apologise once she came to power. Now, in 2024, Banerjee, who has been the chief minister of West Bengal for three consecutive terms, has appointed Verma as the commissioner of Kolkata Police. The appointment comes at a time when the police force is under scrutiny for its alleged mismanagement of the high-profile R G Kar hospital rape-murder case.

Verma established his reputation as a formidable police officer during one of the most challenging periods in Bengal's history - the Maoist insurgency that affected the district and the entire Junglemahal region in the late 2000s. When he took over as the SP in 2008, the Maoists had deeply entrenched themselves in significant parts of the region, effectively creating a near-parallel authority.

To combat the Maoist threat, Verma adopted a strategy that combined firmness with community engagement. Although his operational methods often faced criticism, particularly from political opponents, they proved effective in systematically dismantling the Maoist stronghold in the district.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it was disturbed by the findings given in a status report filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the rape and murder of trainee doctor at R G Kar government hospital in Kolkata but refused to divulge the details, saying any disclosure may jeopardise the ongoing investigation. Seeking a status report from the CBI on its probe into financial irregularities allegedly committed by jailed former principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, the top court, referring to the rape and murder case, said the agency is not "sleeping over" the investigation and it needs to be given time to "unearth the truth."

"What the CBI has revealed in the report is really disturbing. What you are flagging is of utmost concern. We ourselves are concerned, CBI has flagged it for us. We are ourselves disturbed by what we have read," the top court told a lawyer who claimed discrepancies in the seizure list and sketch of the crime scene.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also asked the protesting junior doctors in West Bengal to resume work and recorded the assurance from the state government that it will not take any adverse or punitive action against them.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the West Bengal Government cannot stop women doctors from working on night shifts.

A bench led by Chief Justice of DY Chandrachud and also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra made these remarks when it was informed about the West Government decision to prevent women on working night shifts and beyond 12 hours.

The court made these remarks when it was hearing on suo motu petition on the rape and murder of a doctor in state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal

The court questioned the West Bengal Government notification that barred women for doing night duties and women doctors cannot working beyond a 12-hour-shift.

Manoj Kumar Verma takes charge as Kolkata's new Police Commissioner on Tuesday at Kolkata Police Headquarters in Lall Bazar, replacing Vineet Kumar Goyal, the former commissioner who was transferred to the role of ADG and IGP of the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police.

This comes after IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma was appointed the new Kolkata Police Commissioner on Tuesday after the West Bengal government removed Vineet Kumar Goyal, the former commissioner and transferred him to the role of ADG and IGP of the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police.

he Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be organising a "Kalighat Cholo" march on September 25 in demand of justice for the rape and murder of the victim at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Union Minister and BJP leader Sukanta Majumder stated on Monday that the BJP workers will be organising protests on street corners from September 18 and that they will be conducting a 'Kalighat Cholo' march near Hazra More near the CM's residence on September 25.

"From September 18, the BJP will organise street corners, which will go up to October 1. Along with that, on September 25, we will organise a 'Kalighat Cholo' near Hazra More near CM's residence. On September 23, our BJP Mahila Morcha will take a broom and Ganga jal to clean some selected impure police stations," Majumder said.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday, submitted a progress report on its investigation into the financial irregularities case in state-run RG Kar Medical College & Hospital to the Calcutta high court.

After accepting the first progress report on the matter, the single-judge bench of Justice Rajarshi Bhardwaj directed the central agency to submit another progress report on the matter by November 25.

The college's former, controversial Principal Sandip Ghosh was initially arrested by the CBI in connection with the financial irregularities. Later on the night of September 14, he was shown as “arrested” by CBI in the rape and murder case of a junior doctor within the hospital premises last month.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking the resignation of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee following the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that most of their demands had been met, including the removal of Kolkata CP Vineet Kumar Goyal and certain officials from the health department.

"Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has expressed his willingness to resign," said Banerjee while addressing the junior doctors on Tuesday.

Banerjee also confirmed that Deputy Commissioner North, Abhishek Gupta, would be removed.

"We have listened to the junior doctors and decided to replace the Commissioner. He has voluntarily agreed to resign. In the health department, they requested the removal of three officials, and we have agreed to two. We have fulfilled 99 per cent of their demands. What more can we do? We have asked the doctors to return to work so that the public doesn't suffer," she said.

"We have accepted three of their four demands. DC North (Abhishek Gupta) will also be removed, and a decision on the new DC will be made tomorrow. Additionally, we will ensure the security of doctors," she added.

The West Bengal government on Tuesday removed Dr Kaustav Nayak and Dr Debasish Halder from the position of Director of Medical Education (DME) and the Director of Health Services (DHS) respectively, a health department order said. The order was issued following the meeting between chief minister Mamata Banerjee and agitating junior doctors on Monday night when Banerjee had promised to remove Nayak and Halder from their positions.

Dr Swapan Soren was appointed the new in-charge director of health services and Dr Suparna Dutta officer on special duty of medical education, it added. Nayak was appointed the Director of the Institute of Health and Family Welfare while Halder was posted as the officer on special duty of Public health at Swasthya Bhawan.

BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Tuesday accused West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of attempting to deflect responsibility in the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata by merely transferring senior police and health officials.

Following Banerjee's decision to remove Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, Deputy Commissioner North Abhishek Gupta, and two health officials, Kesavan said that the West Bengal government has not mentioned any suspension of the Kolkata Police commissioner from Government duty.

"The official minutes of the meeting yesterday has no mention of any suspension from Govt duty. It merely mentions transfers of senior Police and Health officials. A mere transfer is nothing but a ploy. It is an eyewash by Mamata Banerjee and the West Bengal Govt to dodge responsibility in the heinous rape and murder of the trainee doctor," Kesavan said.

IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma was appointed the new Kolkata Police Commissioner on Tuesday after the West Bengal government removed Vineet Kumar Goyal, the former commissioner and transferred him to the role of ADG and IGP of the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police.

Senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma was made the new commissioner of Kolkata Police on Tuesday, replacing Vineet Goyal, according to a notification. The decision to remove Goyal, who was under fire over handling of the rape and murder of the doctor at the RG Kar hospital, was announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday night after her meeting with agitating medics.

Goyal, who was of the 1994 batch, was made the ADG and IGP of West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF).

Verma, an officer of the 1998 batch, was the ADG and IGP (Law & Order) in his last assignment.

Jawed Shamim, an IPS officer of the 1995 batch, was made the ADG and IGP (Law & Order).

• IPS Manoj Verma appointed new commissioner of Kolkata Police
• Vineet Goyal has been appointed as ADG STF
• Varma, who was the ADG Law and Order, is being replaced by Jawed Shamim
• Dipak Sarkar is being appointed as DC North

RG Kar doctors to hold meeting at 4pm today to discuss whether to continue strike, According to Reports

When Kapil Sibal inquired about the date of the junior doctors' general body meeting, Indira Jaising, representing the doctors, stated that they could not provide a specific date.

Jaisingh has asked the court to ensure that no punitive action is taken against doctors returning to work. Mr. Sibal, representing West Bengal, confirmed that an assurance was given to junior doctors that no punitive measures would be imposed for their work stoppage, and this assurance is being reiterated in court, says CJI

SC says West Bengal govt's 'Rattierer Saathi' programme which prescribes night duty avoidance for women doctors will prejudice their careers.

Junior doctors told the SC they are ready to resume duties if confidence-building measures, agreed upon with the CM on September 16, are implemented. They plan to hold a general body meeting today to discuss returning to work.

Supreme Court directs CBI to probe inputs given by parents of victim in Kolkata rape and murder case.

West Bengal govt immediately informed the SC that it would issue a notification removing the two clauses limiting women doctors' duty hours to 12 hours and prohibiting night duties.

Senior doctors allege that financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital are closely connected to the rape-murder case. The SC has instructed the CBI to file a status report on the investigation into both the rape-murder and the financial irregularities at the next hearing.

On September 12, following a letter from the victim's father raising several concerns, the SC instructed the CBI to investigate the leads provided. The CBI responded that it has addressed some of the concerns and will review and act on all of them.

West Bengal Police informs SC that all crime-related materials, including CCTV footage, have been handed over to the CBI.

Nobody can say that CBI destroyed anything related to crime, scene or 27 minutes of CCTV footage, says Supreme Court.

SC tells Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that it will pass order directing Wikipedia to remove name and photo of victim.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, expressed concerns about the impact of live streaming, clarifying that he is not defending the accused but representing the state. He reported that his team has been receiving threats on social media, including threats of acid attacks and rape against women in his chamber.

However, CJI DY Chandrachud says Court will not stop live streaming as it is a matter of public interest.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, for CBI, tells SC that Wikipedia is still showing name and photo of victim.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for WB, says she is willing to share names of others present at crime scene to CBI in sealed cover.

The Supreme Court noted that crucial evidence was obtained from a letter written by the victim's father to the CBI, which highlighted several issues. The Court acknowledged that the CBI faced a setback due to a 5-day delay in starting the investigation but emphasized that the agency must explore all aspects of the case.

We have looked at CBI report, disclosing status will jeopardise further investigation, says Supreme Court on Kolkata doctor rape-murder case.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for West Bengal govt in SC, seeks stopping of live proceedings in Kolkata rape-murder case.

On Tuesday morning, Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers conducted simultaneous raids at six locations across Kolkata, including the residence of a TMC MLA, as part of their investigation into alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The searches targeted the Sithi residence of TMC's Serampore MLA Sudipto Roy, the home of a medicine dealer, and four other locations. An ED officer stated, "These raids are part of our investigation into the alleged financial irregularities at RG Kar Hospital. We have specific information that led to these actions"

The Supreme Court to hear the Kolkata rape and murder case on Tuesday. This will be the fourth hearing in the top court on the matter, which it took up suo motu following widespread national outrage.

The CBI, equipped with RG Kar former principal Sandip Ghosh’s layered voice analysis (LVA) and polygraph test reports from Central Forensic Science Laboratory, found his version deceptive.