The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named Dr. Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and Abhijit Mondal, officer-in-charge of Tala police station, as key conspirators in the August 9 rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor inside the hospital premises. The CBI presented these details before a Kolkata court on Sunday, stating that the two are suspected of attempting to destroy evidence related to the crime.
Dr. Ghosh, already in custody due to a separate CBI investigation into financial corruption at the hospital, and Mondal, who had been repeatedly questioned by investigators, were arrested on Saturday in connection with the heinous crime. Both have been charged with evidence tampering, delaying the filing of the First Information Report (FIR), and providing misleading information during interrogation.
FIR Delays and Evidence Tampering
According to court testimonies, the CBI informed the Shealdah court that while the hospital staff had notified the Tala police station about the crime at 10 AM on August 9, the FIR was not filed until later that night. Police reportedly delayed their arrival at the scene by over an hour. Moreover, the initial police diary stated that the victim was found unconscious, despite doctors, including Dr. Ghosh, allegedly being aware that the victim was already deceased.
The court remanded Ghosh and Mondal in CBI custody for three days to facilitate further interrogation.
Widespread Protests
The brutal murder of the 31-year-old trainee doctor has sparked protests across West Bengal, with agitating junior doctors, nurses, and citizens taking to the streets despite heavy rain. On August 10, Kolkata Police arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, naming him as the prime suspect. Although Roy initially confessed, he later claimed in court that he was framed, refusing to take a narco-analysis test.
The Calcutta High Court handed the case over to the CBI on August 13, with Roy, Ghosh, and several other hospital officials undergoing polygraph tests. Meanwhile, public outrage has intensified, with protests continuing for over a month.
Political Reactions
Political parties have been quick to weigh in on the issue. Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar emphasized that the arrests of Ghosh and Mondal are just the beginning, insisting that more individuals will be implicated as the investigation deepens.
On the other hand, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, including state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, have reaffirmed their commitment to bringing the culprits to justice. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded the death penalty for those responsible, while TMC asserts that Kolkata Police took the initial steps toward arresting the prime suspect.
As the investigation unfolds, the case continues to spark intense public and political debate across the state.
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