PASSAGE ONE OF THE DAY: "In widespread protests after the crime, doctors, the parents, and civil society had alleged that it could not have been the handiwork of only one individual. Sandip Ghosh, principal of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital at the time of the murder, was arrested by the CBI on charges of evidence tampering and the delay in filing the first information report (FIR), but was released on bail as the charge sheet had not been filed in 90 days, as is the rule. Inefficiencies in policing have also come to the fore."
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PASSAGE TO OF THE DAY: "Reading out the verdict, the judge said the crime carries the highest punishment of a death sentence and the lowest of life imprisonment; the terms of the sentence will be announced on January 20, 2025. In his observations, the judge also put the spotlight on the functioning of the hospital administration, saying that the actions of the college’s principal and other senior members had “created some confusion” in his mind. In widespread protests after the crime, doctors, the parents, and civil society had alleged that it could not have been the handiwork of only one individual."
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EDITORIAL: "Murder most foul: On the R.G. Kar case," published by 'The Hindu, on January 20, 2025.
SUBHEADING: "Making India safe for all must be a priority for state authorities."
GIST: "The conviction of a former civic police volunteer on Saturday (January 18, 2025) in the rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata has brought some closure to her parents, but the struggle to make systemic changes to make the workplace safe for women continues.
The District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, found Sanjay Roy guilty of the horrific crime at the State-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024, while on duty.
Pronouncing the verdict in the presence of the parents and the accused, Judge Anirban Das said the accused was found guilty based on evidence put forward by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The accused is being held guilty under Sections 64 (rape), 66 (causing death), and 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Reading out the verdict, the judge said the crime carries the highest punishment of a death sentence and the lowest of life imprisonment; the terms of the sentence will be announced on January 20, 2025.
In his observations, the judge also put the spotlight on the functioning of the hospital administration, saying that the actions of the college’s principal and other senior members had “created some confusion” in his mind.
In widespread protests after the crime, doctors, the parents, and civil society had alleged that it could not have been the handiwork of only one individual.
Sandip Ghosh, principal of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital at the time of the murder, was arrested by the CBI on charges of evidence tampering and the delay in filing the first information report (FIR), but was released on bail as the charge sheet had not been filed in 90 days, as is the rule.
Inefficiencies in policing have also come to the fore; there was an inordinate delay in filing the FIR, for example, and other lapses.
The parents of the doctor said they respect the judgment and sought the highest punishment for the accused but expressed hope that the investigation would not be halted so that all the culprits are nabbed, a sentiment echoed by protesting doctors, activists — and also the Opposition.
There are cases pending in the High Court and the Supreme Court of India, which began hearing it suo motu after the uproar over the rape.
It should not need a rape and murder to wake up to appalling working conditions, such as the lack of basic amenities and a safe room to rest.
Kolkata’s State-run hospitals are stretched thin and reports of corruption are rife.
The State government announced a slew of measures for the protection of health workers, and the onus is on the administration to follow through with the promises."
The entire story can be read at:
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/murder-most-foul-on-the-rg-kar-case/article69116273.ece
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: I am monitoring this case/issue/resource. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com. Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog.
SEE BREAKDOWN OF SOME OF THE ON-GOING INTERNATIONAL CASES (OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL USA) THAT I AM FOLLOWING ON THIS BLOG, AT THE LINK BELOW: HL:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/120008354894645705/4704913685758792985
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FINAL WORD: (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases): "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices."
Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
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FINAL, FINAL WORD: "Since its inception, the Innocence Project has pushed the criminal legal system to confront and correct the laws and policies that cause and contribute to wrongful convictions. They never shied away from the hard cases — the ones involving eyewitness identifications, confessions, and bite marks. Instead, in the course of presenting scientific evidence of innocence, they've exposed the unreliability of evidence that was, for centuries, deemed untouchable." So true!
Christina Swarns: Executive Director: The Innocence Project;
