“Certain intervening factors and circumstances” have led advocate Vrinda Grover who was representing the family of the RG Kar rape and murder victim, to withdraw from the case in the Supreme Court, the Calcutta High Court, and the Sealdah trial court. Reports say that Advocate Grover decided to withdraw from this case due to ‘differences of opinion between the victim’s family and the legal team’.
According to a statement from the Chambers of Vrinda Grover, the legal team has provided pro bono representation to the victim’s family since September 2024. Grover’s legal team includes advocates Soutik Banerjee and Arjun Gooptu, who defended the family in several courts, including daily appearances in Sealdah Sessions Court from 4th November.
“At this stage, on account of certain intervening factors and circumstances, the chamber of Advocate Vrinda Grover is constrained to withdraw from the case proceedings in this matter and will no longer be representing the victim family. The concerned trial court has also been informed accordingly and the counsels stand discharged from the trial. During this period, the evidence of 43 prosecution witnesses has been recorded, and bail for other accused persons consistently and successfully opposed. The remaining prosecution evidence is due to be completed in the next 2-3 days,” the statement read.
“As lawyers and officers of the court, Advocate Vrinda Grover and her legal associates render legal services only in accordance with law, evidence and professional ethics. At this stage, on account of certain intervening factors and circumstances, the chamber of Advocate Vrinda Grover is constrained to withdraw from the case proceedings in this matter and will no longer be representing the victim’s family,” it continues.
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Calling it a “not surprising development”, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya said, “Senior advocate Vrinda Grover has withdrawn from representing the family of the victim in the RG Kar rape and murder case, ending her pro bono legal assistance across multiple courts after significant progress in the trial. She shouldn’t have involved herself in the matter, given her proximity to Mamata Banerjee and the TMC leadership, one of the main protagonists in the matter. It is not a surprising development…”
Senior advocate Vrinda Grover has withdrawn from representing the family of the victim in the RG Kar rape and murder case, ending her pro bono legal assistance across multiple courts after significant progress in the trial.
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) December 11, 2024
She shouldn’t have involved herself in the matter,… pic.twitter.com/rqyXPjwWB6
Notably, Vrinda Grover’s withdrawal from the case comes at a time when on Tuesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Supreme Court that their trial in the case will conclude within a month.
Earlier on October 22, junior doctors protesting over the case ended their hunger strike after a two-hour meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat, Nabanna. The tragedy unfolded on August 9, when a PG medical student was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident ignited protests across West Bengal, with doctors nationwide expressing solidarity with the junior doctors in Kolkata.
