Introduction: A Crime That Became a Constitutional Moment
On 9 August 2024, a crime occurred inside the precincts of Rg Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, that would not remain confined to the domain of criminal law. The rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor while on hospital duty exposed not merely individual criminality, but deep institutional failures—administrative negligence, investigative lapses, and systemic disregard for workplace safety.
What followed was not a routine criminal prosecution. The case triggered multi-layered judicial intervention—from the Calcutta High Court, the Supreme Court of India acting suo motu, a Cbi investigation, a fast-tracked criminal trial, and finally, in December 2025, a constitutional handover of monitoring authority back to the Calcutta High Court.
This article documents every judicial step, in sequence, with legal clarity and narrative continuity.
I. Discovery of the Crime and Initial Police Action (9–10 August 2024)
In the early hours of 9 August 2024, the trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar hall inside Rg Kar Medical College. Medical evidence immediately indicated sexual assault followed by homicide.
Despite the seriousness of the offence:
- The Fir was delayed
- The scene was inadequately secured
- Hospital authorities failed to promptly alert senior officials
On 10 August 2024, Kolkata Police arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer attached to police duties, as the prime accused.
Almost immediately, allegations surfaced that critical evidence may have been compromised, and that the hospital administration displayed unexplained inertia in the aftermath of the crime.
This initial mishandling became legally decisive.
II. Calcutta High Court Intervenes: Transfer of Investigation to Cbi (13 August 2024)
Public outrage and petitions brought the matter before the Calcutta High Court, which, on 13 August 2024, passed a watershed order.
Key Judicial Findings
The High Court noted:
- Unacceptable delay in investigative steps
- Possibility of evidence tampering
- Serious lapses by hospital administration
- Loss of public confidence in the state police probe
Judicial Direction
The Court transferred the entire investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (Cbi).
This order formally removed the case from state police control and marked the first recognition that the case raised issues larger than an ordinary criminal offence.
III. Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance (18–20 August 2024)
Recognising the national ramifications, the Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of the incident under the title:
“In Re: Alleged Rape and Murder Incident of a Trainee Doctor in R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and Related Issues”
Reportable Judgment – 20 August 2024
The Supreme Court:
- Expressed grave concern over institutional apathy
- Questioned administrative accountability
- Took note of doctor protests across India
- Recognised the issue as one of workplace safety for medical professionals
Major Directions Issued
- Cbi directed to submit periodic status reports
- State directed to ensure no coercive action against peaceful protesters
- Constitution of a National Task Force on Safety of Doctors
- Monitoring of hospital safety infrastructure nationwide
This transformed the case from a crime-specific proceeding into a constitutional oversight exercise.
IV. Supreme Court Monitoring Phase and Status Orders (Aug–Sept 2024)
Through office reports and interim orders (including 22 August 2024), the Supreme Court continued close monitoring.
Issues on Which the Court Demanded Clarity
- Forensic findings
- Post-mortem discrepancies
- Administrative conduct at RG Kar Hospital
- Progress of the CBI investigation
At this stage, the Court made it clear that accountability would not end with conviction alone.
V. CBI Investigation and Filing of Chargesheet (October 2024)
After assuming charge, the CBI reconstructed the investigation, examined forensic evidence, and recorded witness statements.
In early October 2024, the CBI filed its chargesheet against Sanjay Roy, confirming:
- Sexual assault
- Homicidal violence
- Circumstantial and forensic corroboration
The chargesheet laid the foundation for expedited trial proceedings.
VI. Criminal Trial and Conviction by Sealdah Sessions Court (January 2025)
Trial Proceedings
The case was tried by the Sealdah Sessions Court, Kolkata.
After detailed examination of evidence, the Court held the accused guilty under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Judgment & Sentence (20 January 2025)
| Finding | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Conviction | Rape and murder |
| Sentence | Life imprisonment till natural death |
| Death Penalty | Declined as the case did not meet the “rarest of rare” threshold |
The Court emphasised that punishment must be severe but constitutionally proportionate.
This judgment concluded the criminal culpability phase.
VII. Parallel Proceedings: Accountability Beyond Conviction (2025)
Importantly, the conviction did not close the judicial chapter.
Calcutta High Court Oversight
Throughout 2025, the Calcutta High Court heard matters relating to:
- Quality of CBI investigation
- Forensic inconsistencies
- Role of hospital administrators
- Allegations of corruption and suppression of facts
The Court sought:
- Case diaries
- Medical records
- Clarifications on post-mortem findings
These proceedings underscored that institutional responsibility survives criminal conviction.
VIII. Supreme Court Transfers Suo Motu Proceedings to Calcutta High Court (17 December 2025)
On 17 December 2025, the Supreme Court passed a decisive constitutional order.
What the Court Did
- Transferred entire suo motu proceedings to the Calcutta High Court
- Directed the Chief Justice of Calcutta HC to constitute an appropriate Bench
- Ordered handover of CBI status reports to the victim’s parents
- Retained the substance of all earlier Supreme Court directions
Judicial Rationale
The Supreme Court held that:
The Calcutta High Court, being closest to the facts and continuing developments, is best positioned to ensure effective and responsive monitoring.
This marked a judicial full circle—from High Court to Supreme Court and back to the High Court—with constitutional continuity preserved.
IX. Why This Case Is Jurisprudentially Significant
The RG Kar case stands apart because:
- It fused criminal law with constitutional accountability
- It established judicial responsibility beyond sentencing
- It strengthened workplace safety jurisprudence
- It reaffirmed High Court primacy in local institutional oversight
- It demonstrated that justice does not end with conviction
Conclusion: A Living Case, Not a Closed File
The RG Kar Medical College case is not merely a concluded prosecution. It is a continuing judicial process that reshaped how Indian courts respond to institutional crimes against women professionals.
By transferring monitoring back to the Calcutta High Court, the Supreme Court ensured that accountability remains alive, responsive, and locally anchored.
This case will remain a reference point in Indian legal history—for criminal law, constitutional oversight, and the judiciary’s evolving role in systemic reform.
Compiled Official Orders & Core Judicial Documents (Chronological)
1) Calcutta High Court — Order Transferring Investigation to the CBI
Date: 13 August 2024
What It Did:
- The Calcutta High Court expressed serious concern about the local police probe.
- Directed that the investigation be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- This is the key early HC order that moved the probe from state police to the CBI.
Citation / Source: CBI media clippings reporting the HC order and contemporaneous coverage. (CBI)
2) Supreme Court — Reportable Order / Judgment (Suo Motu Writ Petition)
Docket / Short Title:
In Re: Alleged Rape And Murder Incident of A Trainee Doctor in R.G. Kar Medical College And Hospital, Kolkata And Related Issues (Suo Motu)
Date (Important Orders):
20 August 2024 (Judgment / Reportable Order) — the Court publicly recorded orders and directions; there are follow-up office reports / orders dated 22 August 2024.
What It Did:
- Took suo motu cognizance of the incident.
- Criticised state authorities and the hospital administration for lapses.
- Directed the CBI to file status reports.
- Set up monitoring directions.
- Constituted measures (task force / oversight) relating to doctors’ safety and investigation transparency.
- Several follow-up status orders were listed in the Supreme Court cause list.
Authoritative Documents:
- Official Supreme Court Judgment / Reportable Order (PDF)
- Subsequent Office Report / Order
Citations / PDFs (Official):
- Judgment / Reportable Order (20 August 2024). (Sci API)
- Office Report / Order dated 22 August 2024 (status report directions). (Sci API)
3) Supreme Court — Subsequent Status Orders (CBI Status Reporting Directions, etc.)
Date(s): August — September 2024 (multiple status orders)
What They Did:
- Directed the CBI and State of West Bengal to file status reports by specific dates.
- Sought forensic and medical clarifications.
- Monitored fallout including vandalism and protests.
- Orders appear as Office Reports / Orders in the Suo Motu Writ docket.
Citation / Examples (Official): SC Office Report(s) and listing referencing the CBI status report requirement. (Sci API)
4) CBI — Chargesheet / Formal Investigation Filings (CBI Records & Press Clippings)
Date (CBI Chargesheet Filing): Early October 2024
What It Did:
- CBI filed its chargesheet / preliminary chargesheet against the accused.
- Formalised criminal charges against the main accused.
- Recorded investigative findings relied upon in subsequent criminal proceedings.
Citation / Source: CBI media clippings and reporting of chargesheet filing. (CBI)
5) Trial Court (Sealdah Court / Sessions Court) — Conviction and Sentencing of the Accused (Sanjay Roy)
Date (Judgment / Sentencing): 20 January 2025
What It Did:
- The Sealdah Sessions Court convicted the accused Sanjay Roy of rape and murder.
- Sentenced him to life imprisonment.
- Declined to impose the death penalty, noting the case did not meet the “rarest of the rare” standard.
- Trial court record / judgment PDF is available.
6) Calcutta High Court — Ongoing Oversight Hearings on Investigative Quality & Administrative Accountability
Date(s): Mid-2025 (various listings / hearings)
What They Did:
- Conducted hearings regarding investigation quality.
- Examined forensic findings, including medical report conclusions.
- Addressed parallel administrative accountability matters.
- Considered allegations of evidence tampering and financial irregularities.
- Issued interlocutory and status directions for production of documents, witness lists, and forensic clarifications.
7) Supreme Court — Transfer of Suo Motu Proceedings to Calcutta High Court
Date: 17 December 2025 (Today)
What It Did:
- The Supreme Court (Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma) transferred the suo motu proceedings to the Calcutta High Court.
- Directed the High Court to monitor implementation of earlier Supreme Court directions.
- Ordered that the victim’s parents be furnished with the CBI status report.
- Requested the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to constitute an appropriate Division Bench for monitoring.
