Top Court Orders Investigation by Special Team into Alleged Torture of RG Kar Protesters

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Supreme Court Orders SIT Probe into Alleged Police Torture of Women Protesters in Kolkata

On Monday, the Supreme Court of India directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged torture of two women, Rebeka Khatun Molla and Rama Das, who were arrested during protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata earlier this year.

This decision came after the Supreme Court dismissed a ruling from the Calcutta High Court, which had initially recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter. Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that not every case should be transferred to the CBI, and instead ordered that a team of senior IPS officers from the West Bengal government be assigned to lead the investigation.

The SIT will consist of senior officers nominated by the state government and will be required to submit weekly progress reports to the Calcutta High Court. The court has instructed the Chief Justice of the High Court to form a dedicated bench to review the SIT’s findings. Additionally, the investigation is to proceed without any external influence, especially from previous judicial comments. The victims have also been encouraged to directly communicate with the SIT.

The case centers around the arrest of Rebeka Khatun Molla and Rama Das during protests at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They were released the following day, but later filed a petition in the High Court, alleging that they had been physically tortured in police custody. A jail doctor documented signs of hematoma on one of the women’s legs, while a doctor from Diamond Harbour Medical College found no visible injuries.

The two women have also accused the police of making unjust arrests, alleging they were wrongfully blamed for instigating protests against TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee’s daughter. While the Calcutta High Court initially ordered a CBI investigation, the Supreme Court stayed this decision on November 11, opting instead for an SIT-led inquiry.

This move underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to ensuring that sensitive cases are handled impartially and without external interference. The outcome of the SIT investigation will likely play a critical role in determining accountability and upholding justice in this controversial case.

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