The Calcutta High Court (HC) on Thursday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to form a 3-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations of a possible cover-up and destruction of evidence linked to the RG Kar rape-murder case, which took place in Kolkata in 2024, sending shockwaves through the nation. 

The court directed the SIT to probe the sequence of events beginning from the trainee doctor’s dinner on the night of the incident to her cremation the following day.

CBI Joint Director to head the SIT

A division bench of the Calcutta HC, comprising Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Tirthankar Ghosh said that the Joint Director (East) of the CBI, would head the 3-member SIT. Furthermore, the bench directed that the names of the remaining two members must be finalised within 48 hours. It observed that the probe would lay focus on allegations of tampering with evidence and claims made by the victim’s parents that efforts were undertaken to suppress and downplay the crime after it came to light. 

The court also took note of the wider public outrage and the social implications of the case, emphasising the need for an independent and in-depth inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the handling of the investigation. 

Report sought by June 25

The HC directed the SIT to submit its findings in the form of a comprehensive report by June 25, the date on which the matter would be heard further. Notably, the victim’s parents had moved the court seeking a deeper probe, alleging that more than one person may have been involved in the crime and that crucial aspects of the case had not been reflected upon. 

The plea filed by them also raised concern regarding the sequence of events following the discovery of the victim’s body and alleged irregularities during the preliminary stages of the investigation. 

Case that shook the nation

It is noteworthy that a postgraduate trainee doctor attached to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was brutally raped and murdered on the campus premises on the night of August 9, 2024, resulting in massive agitations across West Bengal and outrage within the medical fraternity nationwide. Doctors, students and civil society groups had staged demonstrations demanding justice, enhanced security measures in hospitals and accountability from authorities. 

Earlier, a civic volunteer identified as Sanjay Roy was found guilty of the crime, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the victim’s kin has continued to demand further probe, maintaining that the case may involve a large conspiracy and possible attempts to conceal evidence.