RG Kar Hospital rape and murder: Calcutta High Court asks State to prove with photos that crime scene is intact

The Calcutta High Court on Friday grilled the State on whether there was any urgency to carry out renovation work near the crime scene in RG Kar Medical College Hospital where a 31-year-old resident doctor was found dead after being subjected to rape on August 9..A Bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya today asked the State to submit a reply to allegations that the renovation work was carried out to "wipe out" evidence from the crime scene. The allegation was strongly denied by the State counsel today who said,"All these allegations that PO (place of occurrence) has been demolished, destroyed, nothing is correct. The demolition work that happened was not near the PO."The State counsel added that the renovation work was for a restroom for doctors. The Court, however, questioned the timing of the move."What was the urgency? ...You go to any district court complex, see if ladies have any restrooms! I say this with responsibility. What has the PWD done? ... We'll shift patients to other hospital, close the (RG Kar) hospital. That will be the best. All the stories - 'within 12 hours rest room have to be provided' - see the condition of the restrooms in the court complexes!" Chief Justice Sivagnanam remarked.The State counsel maintained that the crime scene remains will secured."The issue is the PO. As of now, there is no demolition at the PO," he said.The Court proceeded to suggest that the State file an affidavit with photographs to show that the crime scene is still intact. "We take your word, let this be on record. Let affidavit be filed. You can substantiate with photographs. We will hear with an open mind," Chief Justice Sivagnanam said.The Bench also urged the State to show more empathy in the matter."You should also be disturbed as a citizen of West Bengal, born and brought up here! It should pain you also! It pains me!" Chief Justice Sivagnanam said."It does pain us! Incorrect submissions are being made. PO is secure!" the State counsel replied."We take your word," the Chief Justice said, in turn.In its order, the Bench sought a reply from the State on various aspects of the case by next Tuesday (August 20), while adding that the Court will hear the matter next on August 21. "CBI has power to visit hospital premises and conduct investigation as it deems fit. We direct appropriate police authorities as well as person in-charge file reply related to vandalism and all matters connected to it. Let this be served to petitioners' counsels… The investigative team by CBI shall also file interim report as progress with regard to matter," the Court ordered. .The matter concerns the rape and murder of a junior doctor who was found dead at a seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical Hospital on August 9. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and protests.The Calcutta High Court has already transferred the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).Notably, the Court today also urged the media and others to refrain from circulating images or other details of the deceased rape victim, to keep her identity confidential."We request the persons who are known to the victim not to circulate photographs and name and identity and details of victim. We request press and media also to make sure that identity or photograph of victims are not disclosed in reports," the Court said. .Vandalism near hospital an "absolute failure of State machinery"Concerns were raised in Court today over vandalism that took place near the hospital when protests that commenced on the eve of August 15 (Independence day) went out of control.The State counsel told the Court that it was difficult to contain the 7000-strong mob that the demonstration swelled into. Police officers were also injured during the vandalism, he said.The Court, however, grilled the State on how it did not take steps to prevent such violence near the crime scene."Police usually have intelligence on these matters.. If 7,000 people gathered, it was hard to believe that state police did not know. ... For all and sundry, you pass 144 (CrPC) order. When so much commotion is going on, doctors on strike, you should have cordoned off entire area. If suppose 7000 people have to come, they cant come walking ... Absolute failure of state machinery. A sorry state of affairs, how do you think the doctors would be able to work fearlessly?" Chief Justice Sivagnanam asked.The State counsel assured that rapid action forces have been deployed and efforts are on to trace the vandals through video footage from the demonstrations..The Court emphasised that the question is whether the State could have prevented the vandalism near the crime scene."So many emails we have received ... This vandalism cannot have been prevented? What was the reason to break all facilities of emergency ward. This can never be understood ... The police are also injured. Is it a failure of law and order situation?" the Court asked."That shows helplessness of state police, that's why we are seeking deployment of central forces," another lawyer added..The Court was hearing a batch of public interest litigation (PIL) petitions mentioned on Friday morning concerning the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case and ensuing unrest..[Read Order].[Read Live Coverage]