CBI Arrests Ex-RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh and kolkata police Officer

On Saturday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical college and Hospital in kolkata, along with a police officer in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run facility last month.

Ghosh, who had previously been detained by the Enforcement Directorate for financial misconduct at the hospital, was arrested alongside Abhijit Mondal, the officer-in-charge at Tala police Station. Mondal’s team had responded to the crime scene after the 31-year-old doctor's body was found in a seminar room on the hospital's fourth floor. Two additional kolkata police officials are reportedly under investigation by the cbi, which is also questioning a Sub-Inspector from Tala police Station.

Ghosh faces allegations of significantly delaying the filing of an FIR, according to a petition by the cbi in court. Although the doctor’s body was discovered on august 9, it took over 12 hours for the police to file an FIR, a delay that has drawn scrutiny from the supreme Court. Concerns have been raised about potential evidence tampering.

The police initially arrested a civic volunteer who had access to the hospital, but amid concerns of evidence mishandling and a cover-up, the calcutta High court transferred the case to the CBI. The central agency has cited insufficient evidence in its supreme court filings.

CBI sources expressed skepticism about Ghosh's statements during questioning. He claimed to have learned about the incident at 10:20 am, but his driver had informed officials that he was called to Ghosh’s residence at 6 am. Suspicion also surrounds Mondal’s role after discrepancies arose between the forensic report, which was inconclusive on rape, and the post-mortem report, which confirmed sexual assault. Questions have been raised about the adequacy of body swab collection before the victim's cremation and the overall evidence handling.

Mondal has been questioned multiple times, providing inconsistent accounts, and has now been arrested. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sunday.

The RG Kar case has ignited widespread protests, cast a spotlight on the hospital and Bengal’s health system, prompted scrutiny by the calcutta High court and the supreme court, led to allegations of a broader conspiracy, and resulted in the passing of a strict anti-rape bill in the state assembly. The incident has also fueled a heated political dispute.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticized kolkata police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and home minister mamata banerjee, demanding Goyal's suspension and Banerjee's resignation, accusing them of overseeing procedural lapses intended to undermine the investigation. bjp member Sukanta Majumdar supported these calls.

The bjp has increased pressure on chief minister mamata banerjee, whose government faces significant criticism amid ongoing protests and disruptions to the health system. junior doctors in kolkata have staged a boycott, and the trinamool congress has claimed that the protests are jeopardizing patient care. Attempts to resolve the situation through dialogue have been unsuccessful, and Banerjee has accused the bjp and the Left of politicizing the issue. The state and police administration have denied any procedural lapses.

A protesting junior doctor expressed satisfaction with the arrests but called for the cbi to apprehend others involved in evidence tampering.
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Balasahana Suresh

15/09/2024 12:10 PM