The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), currently investigating the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case, informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that they were handed the case five days after the incident, by which time crucial evidence had been “altered.”
Investigation Delay Raises Concerns
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, stated before the Supreme Court, “CBI entered the probe on the fifth day, and everything was altered by then.” The central agency submitted a status report following the Supreme Court’s directive and raised concerns over discrepancies in the date and time logged by the Kolkata police.
Financial Irregularities Surface in Probe
The CBI also flagged financial irregularities linked to the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, who was under questioning. It was revealed that surveillance cameras at the facility had been rented rather than purchased, adding another layer of suspicion.
Post-Mortem and Crime Scene Mishandling
The Supreme Court questioned senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing the Bengal government, regarding the post-mortem timing. Sibal informed the court that the autopsy was conducted between 6:10 to 7:10 pm. The Court expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by Kolkata Police, citing that the crime scene had only been secured late in the evening, over 18 hours after the body was discovered.
SC questions WB Police and asks about the timing of the postmortem conducted
Senior Advocate Sibal replied it was around 6:10-7:10 PM
SC further asks when you took the dead body for post mortem then was it a case of unnatural death or not and if it was not unnatural death…
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2024
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CrPC Guidelines Violated, SC Observes
The Court further observed that the Kolkata Police had not followed proper Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) guidelines for handling a case of unnatural death. Justice JB Pardiwala remarked that in his 30-year career, he had not encountered such a procedural lapse.
Nationwide Protests Amid Growing Anger
The tragic incident has sparked widespread protests across the country, with demonstrators demanding swift justice. The case, involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9, has gripped the nation. Protests intensified after miscreants vandalized the medical facility on August 14, further fueling public outrage.
CBI Probe Ordered Amid Public Outcry
Following the public outcry and ongoing protests, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation from Kolkata Police to the CBI on August 13. The apex court has suggested that the central agency thoroughly examine the procedural irregularities that have surfaced in the investigation.
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