Blame game continues, RG Kar victim’s parents yet to receive death certificate
Kolkata: The family of the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder victim continues to face bureaucratic hurdles as they are yet to receive their daughter's death certificate, even six months after her tragic demise. The victim, a junior doctor, was found dead in the seminar hall of the state-run medical college on August 9, 2024. While the court has already convicted and sentenced civic volunteer Sanjay Roy for the crime, her parents are still struggling with official red tape to obtain a document that legally certifies their daughter's death.
According to the victim's parents, both RG Kar Medical College and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) are shifting responsibility, leaving them caught in an administrative deadlock. The KMC authorities argue that since the death occurred within the hospital premises, the certificate should be issued by RG Kar Medical College. However, the hospital administration claims that if a patient dies inside the hospital or is brought dead, it is KMC’s duty to provide the death certificate.
Adding to their frustration, the parents claim that the death certificate has already been referenced in court documents based on a statement from a medical officer attached to RG Kar. They now question why, if the document exists, they have not been provided a copy.
Last week, a special court in Kolkata directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a fresh progress report on the case by February 24, 2025. Although the main accused has been convicted, legal experts believe the CBI's latest report may focus on potential evidence tampering in the case. This follows a complaint by the victim’s family lawyer, who accused the CBI of failing to provide periodic updates on its investigation.
The continued bureaucratic hurdles highlight the systemic failures that grieving families often face in India, even in cases where justice has seemingly been served. For the victim’s parents, the delay in receiving the death certificate only adds to their prolonged agony, raising concerns over the inefficiency of government institutions in handling sensitive cases.