The Crossbill Team
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday (April 21) ordered the formation of a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the leadership of the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Joint Director, Eastern Zone, to conduct a wider probe into alleged attempts to suppress facts and conceal a broader conspiracy in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.
A division bench comprising Justices Shampa Sarkar and Tirthankar Ghosh directed the SIT to submit a report before the Court on June 25.
The Court directed the CBI to specifically examine the sequence of events beginning from the victim's dinner on the night of August 9, 2024 till the cremation, while granting the agency liberty to investigate all necessary aspects connected with the matter.
During the proceedings, the bench sought details from the investigating agency regarding the progress made since the filing of the chargesheet on October 7, 2024. The judges questioned what substantive steps had been taken by the CBI over the last one year and seven months.
Responding to the Court’s query, the CBI stated that statements of nearly 70 to 80 individuals had been recorded during the course of the investigation.
The High Court has been hearing pleas seeking a deeper probe into allegations that material facts surrounding the crime were deliberately suppressed and that there existed a larger conspiracy behind the handling of the investigation in its initial stages. While directing the constitution of the SIT, the bench observed that the agency may examine every aspect necessary for an effective and comprehensive investigation.
The Court's directions come amid continuing concerns raised by the victim's family and intervenors regarding alleged destruction of evidence, procedural lapses and institutional complicity.
The case relates to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor whose body was found inside a seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
Earlier, the Calcutta High Court had transferred the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI after expressing dissatisfaction with the state police probe and observing that it failed to inspire confidence.
Subsequently, civic volunteer Sanjay Roy was convicted in the rape and murder case. However, demands for a wider investigation into the alleged cover-up and destruction of evidence have continued.
The controversy surrounding the handling of the case had also placed former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and several police officials under scrutiny, with questions continuing to be raised over alleged lapses during the initial stages of the investigation.
A division bench comprising Justices Shampa Sarkar and Tirthankar Ghosh directed the SIT to submit a report before the Court on June 25.
The Court directed the CBI to specifically examine the sequence of events beginning from the victim's dinner on the night of August 9, 2024 till the cremation, while granting the agency liberty to investigate all necessary aspects connected with the matter.
During the proceedings, the bench sought details from the investigating agency regarding the progress made since the filing of the chargesheet on October 7, 2024. The judges questioned what substantive steps had been taken by the CBI over the last one year and seven months.
Responding to the Court’s query, the CBI stated that statements of nearly 70 to 80 individuals had been recorded during the course of the investigation.
The High Court has been hearing pleas seeking a deeper probe into allegations that material facts surrounding the crime were deliberately suppressed and that there existed a larger conspiracy behind the handling of the investigation in its initial stages. While directing the constitution of the SIT, the bench observed that the agency may examine every aspect necessary for an effective and comprehensive investigation.
The Court's directions come amid continuing concerns raised by the victim's family and intervenors regarding alleged destruction of evidence, procedural lapses and institutional complicity.
The case relates to the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor whose body was found inside a seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
Earlier, the Calcutta High Court had transferred the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI after expressing dissatisfaction with the state police probe and observing that it failed to inspire confidence.
Subsequently, civic volunteer Sanjay Roy was convicted in the rape and murder case. However, demands for a wider investigation into the alleged cover-up and destruction of evidence have continued.
The controversy surrounding the handling of the case had also placed former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and several police officials under scrutiny, with questions continuing to be raised over alleged lapses during the initial stages of the investigation.
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