CBI Update to Supreme Court on Kolkata Rape-Murder Case
CBI Update to supreme court on kolkata Rape-Murder Case
On Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is handling the investigation into the rape and murder of a kolkata doctor, informed the supreme court that they took over the case on the fifth day, by which time crucial evidence had already been compromised.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the cbi, stated, “The cbi took charge of the investigation on the fifth day, and by then, the situation had been significantly altered.” The cbi submitted a status report following the supreme Court's directive from Tuesday, highlighting discrepancies with the dates and times recorded by the kolkata Police. Additionally, the cbi revealed that the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, who was under investigation, had several financial discrepancies and had allegedly leased rather than purchased the surveillance cameras for the facility. Mehta pointed out to the supreme court bench led by Chief Justice of india DY Chandrachud that the kolkata Police’s Daily Diary entry was recorded at 10:10 am, even though the crime scene was only secured later in the evening, which he found troubling.
The court then inquired of senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing the bengal government, about the timing of the post-mortem. Sibal responded that the autopsy occurred between 6:10 and 7:10 pm. The court noted that the case was classified as an unnatural death and asked Sibal when the inquest panchnama was completed.
Following the questioning, the supreme court observed that the kolkata police had not adhered to the Code of criminal Procedure (CrPC) guidelines for handling unnatural death cases. The court requested Sibal to bring the police officer responsible to explain what transpired after the body was found.
Justice jb Pardiwala remarked, “The procedure followed by your state is unlike anything I have encountered in my 30 years of practice.” The supreme court noted that although the crime occurred at night, the crime scene was not secured until after 18 hours, around 7 pm on august 9, following the post-mortem.
The court observed that an unnatural death case was only registered at 11:30 pm, after the officer returned to the police station post-mortem. The court suggested that the cbi investigate these irregularities.
Solicitor General Mehta stated that the FIR was registered at 11:45 am, after the body’s cremation, and videography was only done after senior doctors and colleagues of the victim demanded it, indicating they also suspected foul play.
The supreme court has directed the kolkata police officer who initially recorded the rape-murder case to attend the next hearing and provide the exact timing details. During Tuesday’s hearing, the supreme court had criticized the West bengal government, the state police, and former principal Sandip Kumar Ghosh, suggesting an attempt to portray the murder as a suicide.
On Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is handling the investigation into the rape and murder of a kolkata doctor, informed the supreme court that they took over the case on the fifth day, by which time crucial evidence had already been compromised.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the cbi, stated, “The cbi took charge of the investigation on the fifth day, and by then, the situation had been significantly altered.” The cbi submitted a status report following the supreme Court's directive from Tuesday, highlighting discrepancies with the dates and times recorded by the kolkata Police. Additionally, the cbi revealed that the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, who was under investigation, had several financial discrepancies and had allegedly leased rather than purchased the surveillance cameras for the facility. Mehta pointed out to the supreme court bench led by Chief Justice of india DY Chandrachud that the kolkata Police’s Daily Diary entry was recorded at 10:10 am, even though the crime scene was only secured later in the evening, which he found troubling.
The court then inquired of senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing the bengal government, about the timing of the post-mortem. Sibal responded that the autopsy occurred between 6:10 and 7:10 pm. The court noted that the case was classified as an unnatural death and asked Sibal when the inquest panchnama was completed.
Following the questioning, the supreme court observed that the kolkata police had not adhered to the Code of criminal Procedure (CrPC) guidelines for handling unnatural death cases. The court requested Sibal to bring the police officer responsible to explain what transpired after the body was found.
Justice jb Pardiwala remarked, “The procedure followed by your state is unlike anything I have encountered in my 30 years of practice.” The supreme court noted that although the crime occurred at night, the crime scene was not secured until after 18 hours, around 7 pm on august 9, following the post-mortem.
The court observed that an unnatural death case was only registered at 11:30 pm, after the officer returned to the police station post-mortem. The court suggested that the cbi investigate these irregularities.
Solicitor General Mehta stated that the FIR was registered at 11:45 am, after the body’s cremation, and videography was only done after senior doctors and colleagues of the victim demanded it, indicating they also suspected foul play.
The supreme court has directed the kolkata police officer who initially recorded the rape-murder case to attend the next hearing and provide the exact timing details. During Tuesday’s hearing, the supreme court had criticized the West bengal government, the state police, and former principal Sandip Kumar Ghosh, suggesting an attempt to portray the murder as a suicide.