“No Evidence of Gang Rape,” CBI Tells Calcutta HC in RG Kar Doctor Murder Case

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit the case diary initially prepared by the Kolkata Police in connection with the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh also instructed the CBI to present a list of individuals interviewed in the case at the next hearing scheduled for April 23. The agency submitted a sealed status report on its ongoing probe into the incident, where the doctor’s body was found in the hospital’s seminar room on August 9, 2024. The case was transferred to the CBI on August 13.

During the hearing, the court inquired whether the crime involved gang rape and if additional suspects had been identified. Deputy Solicitor General Rajdeep Majumdar, representing the CBI, clarified that the case did not fall under Section 70 (gang rape) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He stated that forensic tests were conducted on all available DNA samples from the crime scene and that a 14-member medical board had been constituted.

Majumdar further informed the court that DNA profiling was only conducted on the convicted accused, Sanjay Roy, and no forensic evidence had confirmed a case of gang rape. The agency has, however, examined multiple doctors, nurses, and staff members as part of its probe.

Justice Ghosh pointed out inconsistencies between the inquest and postmortem reports. The inquest report mentioned injury marks on the victim’s belly and ring finger, which were absent in the postmortem examination. The court questioned whether the agency was facing any obstacles in its investigation and sought clarity on its current focus.

Majumdar responded that the CBI was investigating a possible larger conspiracy and whether there had been any deliberate attempt to destroy evidence. He added that the role of hospital staff and officials in the aftermath of the crime was also under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Roy has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment until the end of his natural life by the Sealdah Sessions Court. However, the CBI has filed an appeal seeking an enhancement of the sentence, which is currently pending before a division bench of the High Court.

When asked about the investigation’s timeline, Majumdar said the agency could not commit to a specific timeframe. The court will take up the matter again on April 23.