“Don’t Use Social Media for Arguments,” Chief Justice DY Chandrachud Tells Lawyer in Kolkata Case

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasized the importance of relying on verified evidence rather than social media posts during a hearing on the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata. The remarks were made while he led a three-judge bench on a suo motu case regarding the brutal incident at RG Kar Hospital on August 9.

During the hearing, a lawyer mentioned that the post-mortem report (PMR) cited “151 mg of semen,” suggesting it might be in milliliters (mL) instead. Chief Justice Chandrachud responded by cautioning against using unverified social media information in court arguments, saying, “Don’t confuse this. Don’t use social media to make arguments in court. We have specifically now the post-mortem report before us and we know what that 151 refers to. Let’s not use what we read on social media and make legal arguments on that basis.”

Reports had previously suggested that 150 mg of semen was found on the victim, implying a possible gang rape. However, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal refuted these claims, stating, “Someone said 150 gm semen is found. I don’t know where they have found this kind of information. And it is circulating in media in all kinds of forms. People are tempted to believe it and they are trying to create confusion among the people.”

Supreme Court Criticizes Kolkata Police for Delays

The Supreme Court also expressed strong disapproval of Kolkata Police’s delayed response in registering the rape and murder case. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, questioned the 14-hour delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR) and the sequence of events that followed.

“Who was in touch with the principal of RG Kar Medical College? Why did he delay the FIR? What was the purpose?” the bench inquired, highlighting concerns over procedural lapses.

The Supreme Court is currently examining multiple petitions related to the tragic case. The victim, a postgraduate trainee doctor, was found dead in the hospital’s seminar hall, with medical examinations confirming rape. An accused, a civic volunteer named Sanjoy Roy, was arrested by Kolkata Police a day after the incident. However, the case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court due to a lack of significant progress in the initial investigation. The CBI has yet to make further arrests in the case.