CBI arrests former RG Kar director, police officer for alleged attempt to destroy evidence

Calcutta:

The former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the station house officer who initially investigated the rape and murder of a junior doctor have been arrested by the CBI for allegedly misleading investigators and trying to hide evidence.

By their actions, former director Sandip Ghosh and the police officer allegedly tried to sabotage the investigation into the rape and murder case, which had sparked outrage across the country.

The arrests came hours after protesting doctors returned from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's house without meeting her after she denied their request to livestream the meeting.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has been questioning Sandip Ghosh over alleged financial irregularities, has added charges of rape and murder against him.

On August 9, the junior doctor was raped and murdered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College. The prime suspect Sanjay Roy was seen on CCTV during the investigation after the junior doctor's body was found. The CBI has already conducted a polygraph test on Sanjay Roy but could not conduct a narcotics test on him as he did not give his consent, which is required under the law.

The CBI took over the case from the Kolkata Police on the orders of the Calcutta High Court.

Sanjay Roy, who was a civic volunteer at the hospital, had gone to the red-light district of Sonagachi on the night of August 8. There, he drank alcohol and visited two brothels one after the other, sources said. He then went to the hospital after midnight. He was arrested based on CCTV footage in which he is seen entering and leaving the seminar room.

The CBI also questioned Anup Dutta, an assistant sub-inspector and member of the city police welfare board. It is suspected that Dutta's proximity to Sanjay Roy led the CBI officers to understand how Sanjay Roy could have had free access to the police headquarters where he was staying and inside an institution like RG Kar where he could move freely at any time of the day.

Earlier today, Ms Banerjee did not allow the protesting doctors' demand to live stream their meeting, citing that the RG Kar Medical College case is being heard in the Supreme Court.

“I request you to come and talk as you asked for today's meeting. At least come and have tea with me. Why are you disrespecting me? I am still waiting but it seems you don't want to meet. Forget politics for now… I will sign the minutes of the meeting but there will be no live telecast. It can happen only after the Supreme Court allows it,” Banerjee said.