High Court orders CBI to take over investigation of Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital

The investigation into the horrifying rape and homicide of a 31-year-old physician in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital should be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as per the ruling of the Calcutta High Court today.

The court observed significant oversights in the hospital management’s reaction after the physician was discovered deceased in its conference hall on Friday morning, her garments in disarray and wounds all over her body. The family of the victim, the court stated, prefer an inquiry by an impartial organization to guarantee that proof is not tampered with.

The court today strongly reprimanded Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former head of the state-operated institution, expressing disappointment that he was not proactive. The court also brought to attention that the former Head was assigned the same role in a different institution shortly after he resigned and stated that he should be promptly relieved of responsibilities and placed on leave.

Dr. Ghosh resigned yesterday, citing that he could not endure the humiliation on social media following the rape and murder of the physician. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Head of Calcutta National Medical College. This move sparked protests as protesting physicians questioned the haste behind his new position.

Criticizing the state government for appointing Dr. Ghosh to a new role shortly after his resignation, the court stated, “The appropriate authority should have considered the circumstances under which the resignation was submitted. Therefore, even if the resignation was not accepted, the minimum expected from the department is to relieve the Head from administrative duties and not assign him a similar level of responsibility. This professor has been made Head of another medical college. It is unclear why this decision was rushed.”

The court observed that the hospital management did not support the victim or her family. “The current case is unique. There should be no delay. There is a risk of evidence being tampered with,” the court mentioned.

The high court also remarked that it would have granted more time to state police under “ordinary circumstances.” “Even after five days, there have been no significant findings which should have occurred by now. Hence, we believe that there is a chance of evidence being destroyed. We believe it is appropriate for the case to be transferred to CBI immediately,” the court stated.

Prior to this, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had stated that Kolkata Police should conclude their investigation by Sunday; otherwise, the state government would suggest a CBI investigation if the parents of the victims desire it. Opposition parties, led by the BJP, had urged for an investigation by a central agency, cautioning against evidence tampering if the state police handled the case that has shaken the entire nation.