Supreme Court Questions Kolkata Police as CBI Unveils Irregularities in Rape-Murder Investigation

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the manner of Kolkata Police handling the case of rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. CBI took over the investigation on the fifth day of the incident but they and told the court that crucial evidence had already been “altered” by the time they began their investigation.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta highlighted discrepancies in the crime scene handling and questioned the Kolkata Police’s delay in securing the area. According to the status of a report by CBI, the Daily Diary entry by the Kolkata Police was made at 10:10 am, but the crime scene was only secured late in the evening, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the investigation.

The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud noted that the guidelines under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) for handling cases of unnatural death were not adhered to by the Kolkata Police. Justice JB Pardiwala, part of the three-judge bench, remarked on the unusual procedures followed in the case, stating that he had never encountered such lapses in his 30-year career.

The apex court also questioned the timing of the post-mortem and the inquest panchnama, with senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, confirming that the autopsy was conducted between 6:10 to 7:10 pm. The court pointed out that the case was registered as an unnatural death only after the post-mortem, raising further doubts about the investigation’s credibility.

The CBI also brought to light financial irregularities linked to the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, Sandip Kumar Ghosh, who allegedly rented surveillance cameras instead of purchasing them. The court has directed the Kolkata Police officer who made the first entry about the incident to appear at the next hearing to provide further clarification.

The case that has sparked outrage across India involves the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor on August 9. The suspect civilian volunteer Sanjay Roy, is now in custody. On 13th August, Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI in between growing protests demanding speedy justice for the victim.

The scrutiny of the case continues in the Supreme Court of India. The next hearing is set to delve deeper into the irregularities surrounding the investigation. The shocking incident has galvanized public demand for accountability and transparency in the pursuit of justice.