• Source:JND

RG Kar Case: In a major development in the high-profile rape and murder case, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered setting up a CBI Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by its joint director east to probe hushing up charges in the heinous crime held inside Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital on August 9, 2024, triggering nationwide protests led by doctors. The court also directed the SIT to file the report of its probe into 'hushing up' charges by June 25.

Now, the CBI SIT will probe the developments from the time the R G Kar Medical College's trainee doctor had dinner on the ill-fated night of August 2024 to her cremation. The on-duty post-graduate doctor was raped and murdered, and her body was found in the seminar room of the state-run hospital in August 2024, which caused an uproar in the state as well as among the doctors' community across the country. There have been allegations that evidence was destroyed and attempts were made to downplay the incident in its immediate aftermath.

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Earlier, the parents of the victim doctor moved the high court seeking further investigation into the crime, claiming that more than one person was involved in the gruesome incident, days after the state saw a regime change with the ousting of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Ex-Kolkata CP Among 3 IPS Officers Suspended Over 'Lapses'

The development came 5 days after the Suvendu Adhikari government suspended three senior IPS officers for their alleged mishandling and dereliction of duty during the initial phase of the investigation into the crime. Announcing the decision at the state secretariat, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said disciplinary action had been initiated against former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, and ex-deputy commissioners Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta in the wake of a departmental probe initiated against them.

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The chief minister said the officers were allegedly involved in mishandling of the case, "offering money to the victim's parents as a bribe" and holding an unauthorised press conference in connection with the crime

Adhikari clarified that the state government would stay away from the actual investigation of the crime -- which is being conducted by the CBI and remains pending in court -- and focus on the initial phases of investigation conducted by Kolkata Police before the central agency took over.

Main Accused Sanjay Roy Convicted

The prime accused, Sanjay Roy, was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for life by the Sealdah sessions court in January 2025. He was a civic volunteer of the city police. Yet, there are widespread perceptions of a "larger conspiracy" involving influential people and a "state-sponsored cover-up" of the ghastly act that continue to dominate the public sphere.

(With PTI inputs)

 


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