The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a significant step in the investigation of the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. On Friday, the CBI summoned four post-graduate trainee doctors and the former principal of the institution, Sandip Ghosh, for questioning. This move comes as part of the ongoing probe into the tragic incident that occurred on August 9.
The CBI’s Special Crime Branch issued summons to the individuals involved, directing them to appear at the CGO complex in Salt Lake, Kolkata, for questioning. This line of inquiry aims to clarify the events that transpired on the night of the incident. The agency is also set to interrogate the arrested accused, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who has been charged with rape and murder. Roy, who was arrested on August 10, has been remanded to 14 days of police custody and was presented before the Sealdah court, which extended his custody until August 23.
In a related development, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of the investigation into the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to the CBI. The vandalism occurred on the night of August 14, during a protest against the rape and murder incident. The court’s decision came after severe criticism of the West Bengal government’s handling of the situation, which was described as an “absolute failure of state machinery.”
On the night of August 14, a group of 40-50 individuals breached the premises of the hospital and caused extensive damage. This act of vandalism was part of the larger unrest and outrage over the gruesome crime. The Kolkata Police have since arrested 19 individuals and detained three others in connection with the vandalism.
Earlier in the week, CBI officials visited the victim’s family to gather information and understand the impact of the crime. They inquired about the timing of the call from the hospital and any issues the victim may have faced at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The investigators also spoke with the victim’s friends and reviewed her complaints, if any, related to the institution.
The CBI’s probe has included questioning of hospital staff, including five doctors, the former medical superintendent-cum-vice-principal, the principal, and the head of the Chest Department, where the victim’s body was discovered.
Following public outcry and petitions by the victim’s family, the Calcutta High Court intervened and transferred the case from the Kolkata Police to the CBI. This decision, made on August 13, was driven by demands for a court-monitored investigation and concerns about the local police’s capability to handle the case effectively.
A team from the CBI, including forensic scientists and medical experts from Delhi, arrived in Kolkata to commence the investigation. This move aims to ensure a thorough and impartial probe into the horrific crime.
In response to the brutal crime, doctors and medical students across India have intensified their protests. Demonstrations have been held in various cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, with participants demanding swift and just action. The protests highlight the widespread concern and demand for justice in the wake of the incident.