Kolkata Rape-Murder: SC Hearing Postponed; Victim’s Parents Join Protest; Kolkata Switches Off Lights

Kolkata: Lakhs of protesters demanding justice for the Kolkata junior doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital last month were looking forward to Thursday when the Supreme Court was scheduled to resume the hearing.

The top court would have sought Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) update on the investigation which the central agency took over on Calcutta High Court’s direction on August 14.

However, Thursday’s hearing has been adjourned as Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud will not be present in the court.

“Chief Justice of India will not be holding the Court on 05.09.2024 (Thursday). Hence, sitting of Chief Justice’s Court comprising Hon’ble the Chief Justice, Hon’ble Mr Justice JB Pardiwala and Hon’ble Justice Manoj Misra stands cancelled and the matters listed before this Bench will not be taken up for hearing,” stated a notice issued by Supreme Court.

The next date of hearing is awaited.

Lights Switched Off In Kolkata For An Hour

In Kolkata, the protests against the horrific crime and demand for justice continued with full vigour.

Responding to a call given by the protesting doctors, almost the entire city switched off their lights at home and lit a candle or diya to show their solidarity with the mass movement which is gaining in strength with each passing day.

Kolkata resembled a dark city for an hour with lights off from 8 pm to 9 pm, even as thousands came out on the streets with candles.

As they had done on August 14, the protesters plan to be out on the streets the entire night on September 4.

Parents Ready To Take To Streets

The victim’s parents, who have been lauding the spirit of the protesters, said they will join the march at RG Kar Hospital on Wednesday night.

“We will have to go, what else can we do? Things are happening very slowly, we can’t tolerate it. We have a lot of questions and we will ask Police the same,” the victim’s father told local news channels.