Calcutta High Court Expresses Dissatisfaction With SIT Probe In RG Kar Case And Sets August Deadline

In a stern development regarding the ongoing investigation into the RG Kar hospital incident, the Calcutta High Court has voiced significant dissatisfaction with the status of the probe. A Division Bench comprising Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Tirthankar Ghosh pulled up the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for its failure to drive the investigation to the "logical conclusion" previously mandated by the Court.

A Stalled Pursuit of Justice The case, which has been monitored by the Court since October 2024, centers on the rape and murder incident at RG Kar Hospital. Despite explicit directives issued by the Bench on May 21, 2026, aimed at focusing the SIT’s investigative efforts, the judges found the recent report submitted by the team to be insufficient.

The Court noted that while some interrogations have occurred, they fell short of the intensity and depth required for a matter of this gravity. The Bench, while acknowledging the SIT's report, emphasized that the lack of progress is a matter of concern.

Key Observations from the Bench The Court’s frustration was palpable in its oral observations during the hearing. Reflecting on the timeline and the quality of the investigation, the Division Bench stated:

"In terms of our earlier order, some interrogations have been done but those according to us are not sufficient. The investigation that we had directed to be conducted by the SIT , upon relieving the earlier I.O, should have been taken to its logical conclusion ."

The Bench further remarked:

"We are not satisfied with the report filed before us."

Addressing the need for completion, the Court added:

"The investigation has been continuing from October, 2024 and we expect that a final shape to the investigation should be granted forthwith."

Court Mandates Sealed Production of Evidence To ensure transparency and hold the investigating agency accountable, the High Court has issued a strict timeline and procedural requirements. The matter is now listed for August 6, 2026, at 2 pm. On this date, the Court has directed that:

1. The Case Diary must be produced before the Bench in original.
2. All materials collected during the investigation to date must be submitted in a sealed cover to the Court.

While maintaining a strict stance on the SIT’s progress, the Court clarified that its oversight does not prevent the SIT from fulfilling its statutory obligations regarding the submission of reports before the jurisdictional court under the applicable provisions of law.

Implications for the Investigation This intervention underscores the High Court’s commitment to judicial oversight in high-stakes criminal matters. By demanding the case diary and the submission of all evidence in a sealed cover, the Court is signaling a move toward a more hands-on monitoring role. For the SIT, the upcoming August deadline serves as a final window to demonstrate that the investigation has indeed been carried out with the required stringency and focus.

As the families of the victims seek justice, the eyes of the legal community and the public remain fixed on the upcoming proceedings, waiting to see if the investigative agencies can finally bring the case to the "logical conclusion" the Court expects.