A Shocking Lapse in Justice: CBI Flags Kolkata Police in Doctor’s Murder Case

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 22^nd August. In a case that has gripped the nation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has leveled serious allegations against the Kolkata Police for mishandling the investigation into the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor. The CBI, which took over the probe five days after the crime, told the Supreme Court that by the time they entered the scene, “everything was altered.” With discrepancies in the handling of evidence, delays in securing the crime scene, and clear procedural violations, the case has now sparked widespread concerns about police incompetence and the integrity of the investigation. As the Supreme Court continues to question the actions of the Kolkata Police, the case has become emblematic of deeper systemic issues in law enforcement.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed serious allegations against the Kolkata Police in the Supreme Court during the probe into the rape and murder of a doctor. According to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, by the time the central agency was brought into the investigation on the fifth day, “everything was altered.”

The most disturbing point raised by the CBI was the gap between the general diary entry made by the Kolkata Police at 10:10 am and the securing of the crime scene much later, in the evening. Mehta expressed the CBI’s concern, noting, “One aspect is the Daily Diary (GD) entry by Kolkata Police was made at 10:10 am, but the crime scene was secured only in the late evening. It’s disturbing.”

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, questioned the state’s legal counsel, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, on procedural matters, including when the autopsy of the victim was conducted. According to Sibal, the post-mortem was carried out between 6:10 and 7:10 pm. The Court found this delay troubling, noting that an unnatural death case had been registered only after the autopsy, indicating procedural lapses. Justice JB Pardiwala commented on the irregularity, stating, “The entire procedure followed by your state (West Bengal) is something which I have not come across in the 30 years of my career.”

The court has now directed that a senior officer from the West Bengal government be brought before the bench to explain what happened in the hours following the discovery of the doctor’s body. The CBI has been asked to investigate the possible tampering of evidence at the crime scene, a suggestion made by the court after learning that the crime scene had not been secured for more than 18 hours following the incident.

The top court has flagged serious violations of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) guidelines in handling cases of unnatural deaths. By all appearances, the Kolkata Police did not follow standard protocol, which has raised suspicions about the integrity of the initial investigation.

Conclusion

The CBI’s allegations, coupled with the Supreme Court’s observations, point to a deeply flawed investigation by the Kolkata Police. The five-day delay in securing the crime scene and subsequent irregularities have compromised the case, leaving crucial questions about potential evidence tampering. The Supreme Court’s directive to the CBI to probe further into these irregularities signals that this case has broader implications for the accountability of local law enforcement.

The rape and murder of the Kolkata doctor is a horrifying crime, but what makes it even more alarming is the mishandling of the investigation by the Kolkata Police. The delay in securing the crime scene and apparent procedural lapses are not just incompetence but point to a system where political interference or lack of accountability may have compromised justice. The Supreme Court’s intervention and the CBI’s probing may salvage the case, but this situation underscores the importance of reforming local law enforcement to ensure timely and accurate investigations.