Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the probe into the harrowing rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The decision was made after the court identified serious shortcomings in the hospital administration’s response and raised concerns about the potential tampering of evidence.
The doctor, whose body was discovered in a disheveled state in the seminar hall of the hospital last Friday, had injuries that pointed to a brutal assault. The victim’s parents had expressed their desire for an independent investigation to ensure transparency and integrity, which the court acknowledged in its ruling.
The court expressed strong criticism of Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the state-run college, for not taking a proactive role in the aftermath of the incident. Notably, Dr. Ghosh resigned from his position yesterday, citing humiliation on social media. However, within hours, he was appointed as the Principal of Calcutta National Medical College, a move that sparked widespread protests.
Addressing this hasty appointment, the court questioned the state government’s decision, stating, “The appropriate authority should have considered the circumstances under which the resignation was tendered. Even if the resignation was not accepted, it was expected that the Principal be relieved of administrative duties and not assigned another position of equal responsibility.”
The court emphasized that Dr. Ghosh should have been one of the first individuals to have his statement recorded, given his administrative role at the time of the incident. The court noted, “We do not doubt his professional skills, but as an administrator, his statement is crucial. Why is there an effort to protect him? There seems to be something amiss.”
The High Court underscored the need for a swift and thorough investigation, stressing that any further delay could result in the tampering of critical evidence. The court’s decision to transfer the case to the CBI was prompted by the lack of significant progress in the investigation by the state police, even after five days.
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had set a Sunday deadline for the Kolkata Police to complete their investigation. She had also indicated that the state government would recommend a CBI probe if the victim’s family wished. The demand for a CBI investigation was also strongly voiced by opposition parties, including the BJP, who cautioned against the risk of evidence being compromised under a state-led probe.
The transfer of the case to the CBI marks a crucial step in ensuring that justice is served in a case that has shocked the entire nation.
