Kolkata Rape-Murder Probe "Compromised": Victim's Parents In High Court

The parents of a 31-year-old doctor, who was tragically raped and murdered while on duty Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, have sought intervention from the Calcutta High Court. They have expressed dissatisfaction with the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) handling of the case, which has drawn national attention.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the single-judge bench stated that since the Supreme Court is involved, they can only proceed once it's clear if the top court is overseeing the investigation. The next hearing might occur around January 15.

Concerns Over Investigation

The parents' petition highlights their grievances with the CBI's probe into their daughter's case. They claim key witnesses present on the night of the incident have not been questioned or included in witness lists. They believe the investigation unfairly targets only Sanjay Roy, excluding other potential suspects.

Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested by Kolkata Police for the crime. His custody was transferred to the CBI after a court order mandated their involvement in the investigation.

Additional Suspects Not Charged

The parents are concerned that Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College, and Abhijeet Mondal, officer-in-charge of the local police station, were not named in a supplementary chargesheet by the CBI. Both were granted bail on December 13 due to a lack of charges filed within 90 days.

Mondal has been released, but Ghosh remains jailed for financial irregularities. The parents argue that without further investigation, justice will be compromised as other suspects remain unexamined.

Trial Court Proceedings

The trial court is moving quickly under Supreme Court orders. However, the parents claim that this rapid pace has led to a "compromised" investigation. They fear that once concluded, they will have no recourse if justice isn't served.

The horrific incident occurred on August 9 when the postgraduate trainee was found raped and murdered in a seminar room at the state-run hospital. This tragedy has sparked widespread discussions about workplace safety for women and highlighted the urgent need for protective measures for healthcare workers.