RG Kar protests: Supreme Court orders SIT probe into custodial torture of woman

Supreme Court orders SIT probe into woman's alleged torture in police custody over Kolkata doctor's rape-murder protests.

The Supreme Court of India on Monday (November 25, 2024) ordered an SIT investigation into the alleged torture of a woman in police custody following her arrest over protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Observing not everything could be transferred to the CBI, a Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan modified the Calcutta High Court Order ordering a CBI probe and said senior IPS officers of the State need to be entrusted with the investigation.

Supreme Court refuses to shift R.G. Kar case outside West Bengal

The Supreme Court said the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which will comprise officers, whose names were submitted by the State, shall submit its report on the progress of the investigation on weekly basis to the High Court.

The Calcutta High Court Chief Justice was directed to constitute a special Bench before which the SIT would submit its report besides seeking further investigation.

On November 11, the Supreme Court stayed the October 8 Order of the Calcutta High Court directing a CBI probe while asking the State Government to submit a list of seven IPS officers, including five women, who would comprise a fresh SIT to probe the custodial torture case.

The Order was passed on an appeal filed by the West Bengal Government that stated that the High Court had erroneously ordered a CBI probe whereas the State police was capable of the investigation.