The Central Bureau of Investigation told the Supreme Court on Thursday that local police tried to cover up the rape and murder of a post-graduate medical student at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
According to the CBI, by the time they took over the investigation, the crime scene had been tampered with. Representing the CBI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that even senior doctors and the victim’s colleagues were suspicious, as they had requested videography of the scene.
“We entered the probe on the fifth day. Before that, whatever was collected by the local police was given to us. The investigation itself was a challenge because the scene of offence was altered. The FIR was registered only after the (victim’s) cremation at 11:45 pm,” Mehta said. He also pointed out that initially, the victim’s parents were told by the hospital’s deputy superintendent that their daughter was unwell. When they arrived, they were informed she had committed suicide. Fortunately, the victim’s colleagues insisted on videography, indicating their suspicions of a cover-up.
Mehta further revealed that when the Tala police station was called on the morning of August 9, doctors claimed the victim was unconscious, although she was already dead. However, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, refuted these claims. Sibal argued that everything was videographed and that the crime scene had not been tampered with, accusing the CBI of trying to “muddy the waters.” He demanded that the CBI report on its progress in the investigation over the past week.
During the hearing, Mehta criticized Sibal for allegedly laughing while discussing the case, stating, “A girl has lost her life in the most inhuman and undignified manner. Somebody has died. Do not at least laugh.” Mehta emphasized that the CBI’s aim was not to create confusion but to clear it, given the sensitivity of the case. Sibal acknowledged the incident was “tragic and barbaric,” while the Supreme Court labeled it “horrific,” condemning the West Bengal government for the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands to vandalize the hospital.
The incident, which took place on August 9, has sparked nationwide protests. The victim’s body, bearing severe injury marks, was found in the hospital’s seminar hall. A Kolkata Police civic volunteer was arrested the next day in connection with the case.
On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the case to be transferred from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which began its investigation on August 14.
