Supreme Court Declines Request to Transfer RG Kar Rape and Murder Case Outside Bengal
The Supreme Court of India has rejected a plea to transfer the high-profile rape and murder case of a 9-year-old girl at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to another state. The case, which has drawn significant attention, involves allegations against a hospital employee. The petitioners had sought the case to be moved outside West Bengal, citing concerns over a fair trial due to local influence.
In its ruling, the Court stated that the transfer of a case is not warranted in this instance. It emphasized that a fair trial could still be ensured within the jurisdiction of the state, with appropriate legal safeguards in place. The bench also took into account the need for public faith in the judicial system, highlighting that the local judicial machinery is capable of handling such cases impartially.
The incident, which occurred at the RG Kar hospital in Kolkata, has sparked widespread outrage. The victim’s family and several human rights groups had voiced concerns about the potential bias in the investigation and trial, demanding a transfer of the case to a neutral location to ensure justice.
Despite the Court’s ruling, the legal representatives of the victim’s family maintained that they would continue to push for a fair and just trial, regardless of the venue.