In a significant legal development, a designated CBI court in New Delhi has denied bail to Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, amid ongoing investigations into the rape and murder of a doctor associated with the institution. The court characterised the charges against Ghosh as “grave,” noting that if proven, they could attract capital punishment.
Ghosh was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 9, 2024, following allegations linked to the horrific crime involving a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor. The court has extended his CBI custody, along with that of co-accused Abhijit Mondal, until September 30. Mondal, the former officer in charge of Tala police station, faces allegations of tampering with evidence and delaying the filing of the First Information Report (FIR).
The court’s decision was delivered on September 25, emphasising that releasing the accused on bail would violate principles of equity, especially given the serious nature of the investigation. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate S. Dey noted that the implications of the case are severe, warranting careful consideration.
During court proceedings, Ghosh’s legal counsel argued that he was being falsely implicated and had not committed the alleged crime. However, the court rejected this assertion, highlighting that involvement in a crime does not necessitate physical presence at the scene. The court maintained that an offence could be facilitated by accomplices, regardless of their location during the act.
The CBI has claimed that critical evidence related to the case was “fabricated” at the Tala Police Station. Reports suggest that former officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal had direct communication with Sandip Ghosh on the day the crime was reported. During custodial interrogation, CBI officials asserted that additional evidence had surfaced, indicating that documents were forged and manipulated at the police station where the initial complaint was lodged.
The tragic murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country, calling for justice and accountability in the case. The CBI’s active investigation and the subsequent arrests of Ghosh, Mondal, and another civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, are part of ongoing efforts to unravel the circumstances surrounding this grievous incident.
As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring a fair investigation and justice for the victim, alongside broader discussions regarding safety and accountability in medical institutions.