The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting a probe into the rape and murder of a postgraduate student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. On August 24th, the CBI reported that the prime suspect, Sanjay Roy, has not mentioned any details of a ‘gang-rape’ or the possible involvement of multiple people during questioning. This statement contradicts the claims made by the victim’s parents, who allege that their daughter was gang-raped before her murder on August 9th. They had filed a petition in Calcutta High Court seeking a court-monitored probe into their allegations of a gang-rape.
Following the investigation, Sanjay Roy, a Kolkata traffic police volunteer, was sent to judicial custody by the Sealdah court until September 6th. He is being held in solitary confinement at Presidency Jail under 24/7 manual and CCTV surveillance. The CBI has invoked Sections 64 (jail term of 10 years to life for rape) and Section 103(1) (life term or death for murder) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in the FIR submitted to the trial court. However, the CBI may modify these charges as the investigation progresses.
The CBI took over the investigation from the Kolkata Police on August 13th. The agency has submitted a status report to the Supreme Court and is expected to file an updated report on September 5th. In addition to questioning Sanjay Roy, the CBI is also investigating former RG Kar Hospital principal, Sandip Ghosh. An FIR was filed against Ghosh following orders from the Calcutta High Court. The ongoing investigation aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the student’s tragic death and ensure justice is served.
