The father of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital victim, Sekharranjan Debnath, has welcomed the High Court’s decision to constitute a fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT) within the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), while alleging that the earlier probe team failed to work effectively.
Debnath said the court had raised concerns over the previous investigation and acted accordingly. “The High Court constituted the SIT. The CBI team, which was not working properly, was reprimanded by the court. The Sealdah court said they did not do any work. Now the High Court has said the same and formed a new SIT,” he said.
New CBI team visits RG Kar Medical College
A seven-member CBI delegation visited RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Monday for a high-level meeting with hospital officials regarding the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor.
During the visit, a CBI officer entered the Principal’s room at the medical college to conduct further investigative procedures and examine evidence linked to the case, officials said.
Health Minister alleges evidence destruction
State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee announced a fresh review of issues connected with the investigation into the rape and murder case.
The minister alleged that evidence and information related to the case had been systematically destroyed. He said the department would try to identify those responsible and examine whether a larger network was involved in the alleged irregularities.
Mukherjee further stated that all available documents and records would be collected and shared with investigating agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), for further examination.
Case triggered nationwide outrage
The RG Kar Medical College and Hospital incident took place on August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room on campus.
The case sparked widespread protests across the country, with doctors, students and civil society groups demanding justice for the victim and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.