The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed a special Sealdah court that there is no conclusive evidence so far to support claims of the 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital being gangraped in the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case. However, the investigation is still ongoing, with key suspects undergoing further interrogation.
CBI Pushes for Extended Remand Amid Ongoing Investigation
Former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh and ex-Tala police station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal have been under CBI custody for three days and were presented before the court on Tuesday. The CBI requested an extension of their remand, citing crucial new evidence and the need for further custodial interrogation to uncover potential evidence tampering.
The court agreed and extended their remand until September 20, 2024. Both accused are being probed for their involvement in manipulating evidence, including call recordings, DVR data, and CCTV footage.
Lack of Cooperation and Data Manipulation at the Heart of the Case
During the hearing, the CBI lawyer emphasized the need for further investigation, stating that Ghosh and Mondal have been uncooperative. The lawyer noted that their involvement in evidence tampering required additional scrutiny, especially in the context of missing CCTV footage and call records.
“They are being subjected to further investigation regarding call recordings, DVR data, CCTV footage, and other relevant materials. We require custodial interrogation as the investigation is still in process,” the lawyer informed the court.
The CBI’s focus has shifted to retrieving data from Tala Police Station’s DVR and hard disk, which contains pivotal CCTV footage. The agency is also examining call detail records (CDRs) linked to the accused, and their interrogation is expected to bring to light more details surrounding the case.
Sealdah Court Extends Remand: New Evidence Emerges
The court’s decision to extend the remand came after hearing the CBI’s request, backed by emerging evidence. According to the CBI, the interrogation of both Ghosh and Mondal has led to the discovery of additional mobile numbers that require further examination. The CCTV footage from RG Kar Medical College has already been seized and analyzed, and the movements of key suspects are being cross-referenced with the accused.
In its report to the court, the CBI said, “During custodial interrogation of both the accused, new mobile numbers have come to light, and the CDRs of these numbers are under scrutiny. The extracted data from the CCTV footage needs to be compared with the movements of various suspects.”
The CBI is also investigating whether Ghosh and Mondal were involved in a criminal conspiracy, including efforts to facilitate the hurried cremation of the deceased woman doctor, despite her family demanding a second autopsy.
Sanjay Roy: The Key Arrest in the Rape and Murder Case
Adding another layer of complexity to the case, Sanjay Roy, a Kolkata Police civic volunteer, was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the doctor’s rape and murder. His arrest follows the orders of the Calcutta High Court, which directed the CBI to take over the investigation.
Roy’s role is being probed for his potential involvement in the assault and murder, while Ghosh and Mondal face charges for tampering with the investigation and covering up key evidence.
A Case Under the Spotlight: What’s Next?
The CBI continues its investigation, with the extended remand of Ghosh and Mondal being crucial to unraveling the mystery surrounding the doctor’s death. The case has drawn significant attention, with demands for justice growing louder.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story as the CBI probes deeper into the circumstances surrounding the Kolkata doctor’s tragic death.