(Image source from: Economictimes.indiatimes.com)
The Central Bureau of Investigation has determined that gang rape was not a factor in the death of a Kolkata doctor last month. The evidence indicates that only Sanjay Roy, who was arrested by the police, was involved in the horrific rape and murder at the city's RG Kar Hospital. The investigation is in its final stages, and the agency, which was assigned the case by the Kolkata High Court, overruling Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will soon file charges. The CBI is under pressure from the Chief Minister, who is facing criticism from political rivals and civil society activists over the gruesome crime. Last week, the Chief Minister demanded an update, questioning the delay in the investigation. Her colleague, the state Minister Bratya Basu, has also demanded a report, expressing concerns about the lack of progress in the case.
The CBI has provided regular updates through press conferences. They have sent a medical report, including DNA from the accused, to experts at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi. The CBI will finalize their investigation after receiving the doctors' final opinion on the evidence. The CBI has questioned over 100 people and conducted 10 polygraph tests, including two of the former hospital chief, Dr. Sandip Ghosh. They do not believe that anyone else was involved in the rape and murder of the doctor, whose body was found in a hospital room on August 9th. The CBI has made three arrests, the most significant being Dr. Ghosh, who resigned from his position "on moral grounds" but was soon appointed to head another state-run hospital. Dr. Ghosh was arrested on Monday for alleged financial irregularities during his time as the chief of RG Kar Hospital, based on a petition by a former employee of the hospital.
The authorities arrested Dr. Ghosh and three others, including a security guard, for corruption related to medical procurement contracts and commissions. Following his arrest, Dr. Ghosh has been suspended by the state government and the local medical association. Additionally, the central investigative agency conducted a search of Dr. Ghosh's residence in Kolkata today. The CBI is expected to provide an update to the Calcutta High Court on September 17 regarding the high-profile rape and murder case of the medical professional. This incident has attracted widespread attention and outrage from various groups, including healthcare workers, gender rights activists, and political parties. There have been numerous allegations and claims, some unsubstantiated, about a conspiracy leading to the doctor's death and claims of gang rape. The victim's family has also accused the police of attempting to bribe them to cover up the killing, which the authorities have firmly denied. The family further stated that they were compelled to cremate the body despite their wishes to preserve it, as they were surrounded by around 300 police officers. The state government has strongly refuted these claims, alleging that the opposition is spreading rumors. This incident has also sparked protests and demonstrations across the country, some of which turned violent, including an incident in Kolkata on Independence Day, where a mob allegedly stormed the campus and vandalized the room where the body was found.
The court has taken its own initiative to address the terrible crime, and a hearing is currently taking place before a panel headed by the Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
