The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation into the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at a state-run medical college in Kolkata on Tuesday, hours after the Kolkata High Court’s directive. Following the High Court order, the CBI swiftly completed all formalities, including re-registering the FIR filed by the Kolkata Police. This is standard procedure when the CBI takes over a case from a state police force.
To expedite the investigation, a team of CBI officials from Delhi, accompanied by forensic scientists and medical experts, will visit Kolkata on Wednesday. They are expected to scrutinize the autopsy report, analyze any available videography, and conduct a thorough examination of the crime scene where the doctor’s body was found. The agency may also visit the premises where the doctor resided. Furthermore, the CBI will seek court permission to take custody of the accused, who were arrested by the Kolkata Police on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Doctors’ Forum raised concerns about potential tampering of evidence. In a letter addressed to the CBI, they alleged that construction work near the spot where the doctor’s body was found was an attempt to alter the crime scene. The forum expressed their apprehension about the motive behind this sudden construction and its potential impact on the investigation.
The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor, bearing severe injury marks, was found on Friday inside the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital’s chest department. The preliminary autopsy report indicated that she was subjected to violent sexual assault.
In response to this horrific incident, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose instructed the vice-chancellors of state universities to strengthen security measures on their campuses, particularly for female students and staff. Bose expressed his displeasure over the incident and criticized the Kolkata Police’s handling of the case during a virtual meeting with around 30 vice-chancellors. He described the doctor’s murder as a “crime against humanity.”
Following the acceptance of their demands by the Union Health Minister, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) announced the end of their strike, which had begun in protest of the doctor’s murder. A FORDA delegation met with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday night, where he agreed to form a committee, with FORDA’s involvement, to work on a Central Protection Act. This committee will begin its work within the next 15 days.
The strike, which entered its second day on Tuesday, had led to disruptions in OPD services at government hospitals across several states. However, with the CBI’s involvement in the investigation and the Union Health Minister’s response to the doctors’ demands, the strike is expected to end on Wednesday morning.
