The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, decided to not to hear the case against former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, accused of disclosing the identity of the RG Kar Medical College victim. This decision clears the way for the Kolkata High Court to proceed with its hearings on the matter without hindrance.

The incident in question occurred amidst the ongoing public outrage over the horrific rape and murder of a young female doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. Following the crime, Goyal allegedly revealed sensitive information about the victim’s identity during a press conference. This action led to the filing of a public interest litigation (PIL) against him in the Kolkata High Court. However, the matter took a complex turn when it was also linked to the Supreme Court case addressing the broader issues surrounding the RG Kar Medical College tragedy.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna clarified that since the case against Goyal is already under the purview of the Kolkata High Court, the Supreme Court would not intervene. “The matter pertaining to Vineet Goyal is sub judice in the High Court, and we see no reason to hear it separately,” stated Chief Justice Khanna, effectively allowing the High Court to take the lead on the issue.

The decision follows earlier confusion over jurisdiction. Previously, the Kolkata High Court had expressed reluctance to proceed with the PIL against Goyal, given the simultaneous case in the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, representing the petitioner in the High Court, had reassured the bench that the Supreme Court had not intervened in the matter. However, no written confirmation of this was available at the time, prompting the High Court to request formal documentation from the Supreme Court.

Tuesday’s withdrawal of the case from the Supreme Court resolves these jurisdictional concerns, ensuring that the High Court’s proceedings on the PIL can move forward unimpeded.

The allegations against Vineet Goyal stem from a press conference held shortly after the discovery of the victim’s body on August 9. During the briefing, Goyal reportedly revealed the victim’s name and identity—a violation of legal provisions designed to protect the privacy of victims in cases of sexual violence. The PIL filed in the High Court seeks the registration of an FIR against Goyal for this alleged breach.

The matter has been assigned to the division bench of Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Bivas Pattanayak in the Kolkata High Court. Legal experts believe the High Court’s handling of the case will now proceed without further delays.

The RG Kar Medical College case has drawn national attention for its gruesome nature and the alleged administrative lapses surrounding the investigation. The victim, a young female doctor, was found dead on August 9, sparking massive protests by junior doctors. The agitation included a march to Lalbazar police headquarters and demands for the resignation of Vineet Goyal, who was the Kolkata Police Commissioner at the time.

Under mounting pressure, Goyal was removed from his post and reassigned to the Special Task Force (STF). Despite this, his involvement in the case continued to draw scrutiny, culminating in the current legal proceedings.

Legal experts have welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to streamline jurisdictional responsibilities. Advocate Feroze Edulji’s junior, who raised the issue before Chief Justice Khanna, emphasized the need to avoid duplication of legal efforts.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing the victim’s family expressed relief that the High Court will now exclusively handle the allegations against Goyal. “This decision removes unnecessary complications and ensures the focus remains on delivering justice for the victim,” one advocate noted.

The High Court is expected to resume hearings on the PIL shortly, with the division bench examining whether an FIR should be registered against Goyal for his alleged breach of privacy laws. Simultaneously, the broader investigation into the RG Kar Medical College case—including the CBI’s role—continues under national scrutiny.

For now, the spotlight shifts back to Kolkata, where the High Court’s actions will be critical in addressing the allegations against Vineet Goyal and ensuring accountability in one of West Bengal’s most high-profile cases of 2023.

The Supreme Court’s withdrawal of the case against Vineet Goyal underscores the importance of clear jurisdictional boundaries in India’s legal system. With the matter now firmly in the Kolkata High Court’s hands, all eyes are on its proceedings to determine whether the former commissioner’s actions warrant further legal action. Amidst these developments, the victim’s family continues their fight for justice, a poignant reminder of the stakes involved in this tragic case.