Calcutta High Court Orders CBI Probe into Kolkata RG Kar PGT Doctor's Rape and Murder

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the brutal rape and murder of a PGT doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The court noted several lapses in handling of the case and questioned why a murder case was not immediately registered and why Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, had not been questioned earlier. It also raised concerns about Dr. Ghosh being appointed as the principal of another medical college just hours after resigning from RG Kar. The court instructed Sandip Ghosh's lawyer to ensure he takes a long leave by 3 pm or face further orders. Criticism was directed at Dr. Ghosh, with the court finding his lack of proactive response "disheartening."

"The appropriate authority should have borne in mind the circumstances under which the resignation was given. Therefore, even that resignation was not accepted, the least that can be expected from the department is to release the Principal from the administrative responsibility and not assign him any other duty of equal responsibility. This professor has been made Principal of another medical college. It is not clear as to what was the urgency in doing so,” stated the Calcutta High Court questioning the state government’s urgency behind appointing Ghosh as Principal of another medical college after his resignation.

Questioning the institution’s role, the court expressed concern about potential evidence tampering due to delays in the investigation and noted that the state police had not made significant progress in the case. "The case on hand is a peculiar case. There should be no further loss of time," the court said, emphasizing that the CBI's involvement was necessary to prevent any destruction of evidence.

The victim, a 31-year-old doctor, was found dead in the hospital's seminar hall last Friday. She was found in a semi nude position, and her body showed signs of severe injuries. The court noted that there were serious administrative failures in the hospital's response to the incident. The victim's family has called for an independent investigation to ensure that evidence is not compromised.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday had said that if the Kolkata Police did not complete their investigation by Sunday, the state government would recommend hand over the case to the CBI. Opposition parties, led by the BJP, had also called for a central agency investigation, stating that the state police might not handle the case impartially.

Protesting doctors have demanded a judicial inquiry, capital punishment for the culprits, and adequate compensation for the victim's family. They also called for the release of the post-mortem report and CCTV footage from the seminar hall where the body was discovered.

In solidarity, doctors across India have initiated an indefinite strike. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is demanding a fair investigation and enhanced safety measures for medical professionals. The Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations (FORDA) has called for the resignation of those responsible for failing to protect the victim and is advocating for stricter security protocols. Additionally, the IMA is pushing for a national law to protect doctors and designate hospitals as safe zones, criticizing current state regulations as insufficient. The strike has significantly disrupted medical services, leading to reduced operations in Kolkata hospitals and major interruptions in cities such as Lucknow, Mumbai, and Delhi, where surgeries and admissions have drastically decreased.​