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On Saturday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with a police officer, in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run facility last month. Ghosh, who the Enforcement Directorate had previously arrested for financial irregularities at the hospital, is now facing charges related to hindering the investigation. The CBI also detained Abhijit Mondal, the officer-in-charge at Tala police station, which was responsible for sending teams to the crime scene after the body of the 31-year-old doctor was discovered in a seminar room on the fourth floor of the hospital.
Sources indicate that two more Kolkata Police officials are under scrutiny, and the CBI is also questioning a Sub-Inspector from the Tala Police Station about the case. Ghosh is accused of causing significant delays in filing the FIR, as detailed in a petition filed by the CBI in court. Although the trainee doctor’s body was found on the morning of August 9, it took over 12 hours for the police to register the FIR, a delay that has caught the attention of the Supreme Court. There are concerns that evidence might have been destroyed during this time.
Police had initially arrested a civic volunteer with access to the hospital shortly after starting their investigation. However, the case was later handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court due to allegations of evidence tampering and a cover-up. The central agency has pointed out the lack of evidence in the Supreme Court as well.
During questioning, CBI sources noted inconsistencies in Ghosh’s statements. While Ghosh claimed he learned about the incident at 10:20 am, his driver reported being asked to come to Ghosh’s residence at 6 am, raising suspicions.
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The role of police official Mondal came under further scrutiny when the forensic report was inconclusive regarding rape, despite the post-mortem confirming sexual assault. This discrepancy has led to questions about whether the body swabs were collected correctly before what many consider a rushed cremation. There are also concerns about the evidence collection and documentation processes.
“The policeman has been questioned eight times previously, and each time he provided different accounts. He has now been arrested and will appear in court on Sunday,” a CBI officer told PTI.
The RG Kar case has ignited widespread protests and criticism of both the hospital’s operations and Bengal’s health system. The Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court have scrutinized the case, leading to accusations of a larger conspiracy, the introduction of a stringent anti-rape bill in the state assembly, and a heated political debate.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari took to X to criticize the involvement of the police in tampering with evidence and called for the suspension of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and the resignation of Home Minister Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari accused top Kolkata Police officials of orchestrating procedural lapses to derail the investigation.
Union minister Sukanta Majumdar, also from the BJP, supported Adhikari’s stance. The BJP has ramped up pressure on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose government faces mounting criticism and daily protests. Junior doctors in Kolkata have been boycotting work, causing strain on the health system and endangering patients in need of emergency care. Despite ongoing discussions, no progress has been made between Banerjee and the protesting doctors. Members of the ruling party, including Banerjee herself, have accused the BJP and the Left of politicizing the protests. Meanwhile, the state and police administration have denied any lapses in the investigation.
