Calcutta High Court's Chief Justice Withdraws from PIL Against Ex-Kolkata CP
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Synopsis
The Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, T.S. Sivagnanam, recused himself from a PIL concerning former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal related to the tragic R.G. Kar Medical College incident. The case will be reassigned to another division bench for further proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam recuses from PIL.
- The case involves Vineet Kumar Goyal and a tragic incident.
- Public outcry led to legal proceedings against Goyal.
- Investigation transferred to CBI.
- New division bench to take over the case.
Kolkata, Feb 20 (NationPress) The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, T.S. Sivagnanam, on Thursday opted to withdraw from presiding over a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal related to the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital last August.
During the hearing before the division bench that included Justice Chaitali Chatterjee, Chief Justice Sivagnanam stated that he wished to recuse himself for personal reasons.
He instructed the court officials to take the matter off the list scheduled for discussion under his bench, indicating that it will now be assigned to another division bench.
The PIL was lodged in November during widespread protests following the tragic incident at R.G. Kar, seeking to register an FIR against the former Police Commissioner for allegedly disclosing the victim's identity in media interactions.
At that time, the division bench mandated the inclusion of the Union Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) as a party in the proceedings, given its oversight role over central service officials, including Indian Police Service (IPS) officers like Goyal.
Additionally, an affidavit was requested from DOPT to clarify the actions that could be taken against any all-India service officer in cases of legal breaches.
In the same month, the Union government informed the Calcutta High Court that the West Bengal government was free to take action against Goyal. Furthermore, the government's attorney advised that the petitioner could file a fresh appeal if no action was taken by the state authorities.
With the Chief Justice's decision to recuse himself, it remains to be seen which new division bench will handle the case.
Goyal, who is now the Additional Director General of the West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF), has faced intense criticism from the outset for the perceived sluggish initial investigation led by the city police during his tenure. Junior doctors have persistently called for his removal, which was ultimately granted by the Chief Minister, resulting in Goyal being succeeded by Manoj Kumar Verma.
Previously, the investigation into the rape and murder was transferred from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Both the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court have made pointed remarks regarding the disclosure of the victim's identity.
