A Bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra hears the case related to the alleged sexual assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, at the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: PTI
Questioning the sequence and timing of legal formalities conducted by police, a Bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said it was very surprising that the postmortem of the deceased was conducted on August 9 between 6.10 pm to 7.10 pm before the registration of case as unnatural death.
“How was it that the post-mortem was conducted at 6.10 pm on August 9 and yet the unnatural death information is sent to Tala police station at 11.30 pm on August 9. This is extremely disturbing,” the Bench, also comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.
It directed the Kolkata Police officer, who registered the first entry about the rape-murder that has shocked the country, to appear in the next hearing and disclose the time of the entry.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, told the top court that the most shocking fact is that the FIR was registered at 11.45 pm after the postgraduate medic was cremated.
“State police told parents it was suicide, then they said it was murder. Victim’s friend suspected cover up and insisted on videography,” Mehta told the Bench.
As the hearing commenced, the top court asked protesting doctors to resume work and assured them that no adverse action will be taken against them after they rejoin.
The apex court was told by the counsel for resident doctors at AIIMS Nagpur that they are being victimised for protesting over the Kolkata rape-murder case.
“Once they get back to duty, we will prevail upon authorities to not take adverse action. How will public health infrastructure run if the doctors do not work?” the Bench asked.
“If there is difficulty after that, come to us… but let them first report to work,” it said.
The top court said its heart goes out to all patients visiting public hospitals. It assured doctors’ associations that the National Task Force will hear all stakeholders.