Lawyer Vrinda Grover who had been representing the family of the doctor raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has withdrawn her firm from the case citing “intervening factors and circumstances”.

The firm issued a written statement that said among other things: “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.”

It added: “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.”

Grover’s firm declined to comment on the decision and affirmed that all it had to
say had been put in the statement.

The decision by the reputable firm casts doubts on the way the protest movement triggered by the grisly crime had progressed.

Several lawyers in Calcutta not associated with the case called the decision “unusual” and some of them speculated that it could be because of differences the senior lawyer had with the family.

A senior advocate said this was “highly unusual” and mentioned “underlying issues”.

“It is highly unusual for a reputable firm representing the victim’s family to suddenly withdraw its services,” said the advocate.

“It only hints at a possible difference of opinion between the family and the top lawyer.”

Another advocate said it (the withdrawal of services) could also be because of “some misunderstanding” between the family and the firm.

The victim’s parents did not answer calls or respond to text messages from this newspaper seeking their reaction to the decision of the law
firm that was fighting their case pro bono to withdraw its services.

The move came a day after the victim’s parents expressed their disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision to schedule the next hearing after three-and-a-half months and said they were unhappy with the way the CBI had submitted a chargesheet in the case “without consulting them”.

The victim’s father had said they would seek “legal recourse”.

This is not the first time the RG Kar victim’s case file has changed hands.

Earlier, the family had appointed senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya to represent them. But a few weeks later, sources in the legal fraternity said Bhattacharyya’s office received a letter from the family asking them to return the brief.

“It was a legally drafted termination notice,” a source said.

Thereafter, Grover’s firm started handling the case.

The statement issued by Grover’s firm on Wednesday evening read: “The chamber of Advocate Vrinda Grover including Advocates Soutik Banerjee and Arjun Gooptu, were requested by the victim Abhaya’s parents to provide legal representation, before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, Hon’ble Calcutta High Court and the Sealdah Sessions Court and ACJM Court. Advocate Grover’s chamber has provided legal services and representation, completely pro bono to the victim family, before all courts from September 2024, a period of almost 3 months.”

The statement mentioned that the firm represented the family in the ongoing trial at the Sealdah sessions court without fail.

“The victim family has been represented every day, in the day-to-day trial in Sealdah sessions court, since 04 November, 2024, and also before the ACJM Court for remand hearing on all dates of production since 25 September, 2024. During this period
the evidence of 43 prosecution witnesses has been recorded, and bail of other accused
persons consistently and successfully opposed. The remaining prosecution evidence is due to be completed in the next 2-3 days. The prosecution
has been assisted professionally by the complainant counsels and the same
has been observed by the learned trial court on multiple occasions.”

The family has appointed two new lawyers.