Justice Rajasekhar Mantha's bench in Calcutta HC recuses itself from hearing RG Kar case

KOLKATA: Justice Rajasekhar Mantha's bench in the Calcutta High Court has recused itself from hearing the case of the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The bench noted that there was a surplus of cases in the court. The state government is likely to form a judicial commission to address the case. In the interest of justice, the bench was of the opinion that the case could be heard by that bench, which could dedicate sufficient time to the issue.

It may be noted that the CBI has submitted a status report to the Calcutta High Court, which the court accepted.

In the previous hearing, Justice Mantha's bench had said that if necessary, the CBI could interrogate the convict and other suspects in the RG Kar case. The central investigating agency can interrogate any person to take the investigation forward, it had said. The CBI submitted the status report on that basis.

In March 2025, the division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak withdrew from hearing the case filed by the victim's family. The judge had said that the court was unable to give time to that case. The family had applied for an early hearing of the case, but could not get a full hearing in that court. Due to a lack of time, the division bench of Justice Basak decided to leave the case.

The body of the female doctor was recovered on August 9, 2024, at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The next day of the incident, Civic Volunteer Sanjay Roy was arrested by the Kolkata Police. Later, the CBI took over the investigation on the orders of the Calcutta High Court. On January 18, 2025, the Sealdah court announced the verdict in the RG case. Roy was found guilty and convicted.