The Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of the investigation into the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This decision, made on August 13, 2024, follows significant concerns about the progress of the initial inquiry by state authorities.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the state police’s handling of the case, noting that despite the gravity of the crime—an assault and murder that occurred within a government hospital—there had been no significant advancements in the investigation. The court highlighted that crucial evidence and the crime scene’s condition warranted immediate action by an independent body.
A CBI team, including forensic and medical experts, is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on August 14 to review the scene and gather evidence. This action follows the court’s instruction for the state police to hand over all relevant documents, including the case diary, CCTV footage, and witness statements, to the CBI by 10 a.m. the next day.
The court criticized the hospital administration for its lack of support to the victim’s family and its failure to promptly address the case. It also questioned why an unnatural death case was initially filed rather than a murder investigation, calling it a serious oversight. The administration’s delay in lodging a formal complaint further fueled concerns about potential evidence tampering.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the court directed that Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, be placed on leave. His recent appointment as the principal of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, shortly after his resignation from RG Kar, has been met with controversy and protests.
The Calcutta High Court’s order has been welcomed by various political and social leaders, though protests continue. Opposition leaders have demanded accountability from the Chief Minister, while medical professionals nationwide are calling for enhanced safety measures and swift justice. The case has sparked widespread demonstrations, highlighting the need for greater security for medical personnel and rigorous investigation procedures in such sensitive cases.