Calcutta HC Orders CBI To Probe Doctor’s Rape & Murder As Outrage Grows

New Delhi: The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered that the investigation of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital should be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya also ordered that the case be handed over to the central investigative agency by tomorrow morning (August 14). Further pointing towards the lapses in the investigation, the High Court stated that no significant probe was conducted by the police in the case, News 18 reported.

Justifying the CBI probe, the court said, “This is to do justice between parties and to inspire public confidence.”

The High Court directed that the former college principal shall remain on long leave and shall not be reinstated until further notice. “The state should bear in mind the circumstances under which the resignation came. Therefore, even if the resignation was not accepted, he could have been relieved from duties and not assigned any other duties,” the court added.

Questioning the college principal, the court said, “The former principal and college administration not lodging complaint was a serious lapse giving room for suspicion.” The court recorded submissions of the kin of the victim who alleged that if the probe remains with the police, the investigation might get hampered. “The family members and others believe that the rape and murder was carried out by multiple people,” the court asserted, according to the report.