Kolkata: The Calcutta high court has transferred the investigation into former R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh – hitherto being done by a Bengal government-constituted special investigation team – to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The CBI is already investigating the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the hospital on August 9.
Ghosh resigned in the aftermath of widespread outrage against his administration.
‘Transferred to CBI’
LiveLaw has reported that a single-judge bench of Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj was hearing a plea by former deputy superintendent at R.G. Kar, Akhtar Ali, who alleged that Ghosh ran a fiefdom of sorts at the hospital, including several rackets with medical supplies and cadavers.
The Mamata Banerjee government which has been accused of allegedly being close to Ghosh set up the SIT only after the doctor’s death, on August 16, Ali has alleged.
“Subsequent to the hapless incident on 9th August, the inquiry into the same was transferred to the CBI. Multiple agencies investigating similar facts may lead to delays and inefficiencies due to the involvement of multiple parties,” the court said.
Prime accused sent to custody
Meanwhile, the prime accused in the rape and murder Sanjoy Roy was sent to judicial custody till September 6.
Kolkata Police had arrested the civic police volunteer on August 10. The CBI is set to conduct a polygraph test on him.
CM Mamata writes to PM Modi on rape
On the receiving end of criticism over her and her government’s handling of this crime, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring to his attention “the regular and increasing occurrence of rape cases throughout the country and in many cases, rapes with murder are committed.”
“According to the available data, it is horrifying to see that almost 90 cases of rapes occur daily throughout the country. This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is bounden duty for all of us to put an end to it so that the women feel safe and secure,” Banerjee wrote.
She had earlier led a rally urging for the death penalty for the accused in the R.G. Kar crime.
“Such serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes. Setting up of Fast Track Special Courts for speedy trial in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation. To ensure quick justice, trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” she also wrote.
