Summarize

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The CBI has arrested Mandal, a Station House Officer, and Dr. Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of RG Kar College, in connection with a rape-murder case in Kolkata.
The duo is accused of delaying the FIR, tampering with evidence, and allowing a rushed cremation.
Meanwhile, Ghosh, already in custody for financial irregularities, faces allegations of embezzlement and illegal appointments, as junior doctors protest outside the state health department.

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Officer accused of delayed response in Kolkata case

Kolkata rape-murder: CBI alleges SHO's delay in reaching crime scene

By Tanya Shrivastava

Sep 16, 2024

12:22 pm

What's the story

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has accused Abhijit Mandal, the officer-in-charge at Tala Police Station, of arriving late to the crime scene in the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case. The CBI alleges that Mandal was informed about the crime at 10:03am but only arrived at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital—an approximate 1km distance from his station—at 11:00am. This is being viewed as a potential attempt to divert the direction of the probe, reports said.

Evidence mishandling

CBI alleges evidence tampering

The CBI has also accused Mandal of failing to secure the crime scene properly, leading to potential evidence tampering. The agency highlighted a significant delay in filing the First Information Report (FIR) by Kolkata Police despite receiving information about the crime early in the morning. The Supreme Court had previously noted a "14-hour delay" in registering the FIR. Mandal is also alleged to have allowed a hurried cremation against the family's wishes for a second autopsy.

Arrests update

Arrests made in connection with Kolkata doctor's case

Meanwhile, the CBI has arrested Mandal and Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar College, for their alleged roles in delaying the FIR and tampering with evidence in the doctor's rape-murder case. During questioning by CBI officers, Mandal failed to provide satisfactory answers, leading to his arrest. The agency claimed in court that there could be a larger conspiracy at play and that both Ghosh and Mandal had played crucial roles in it.

Ongoing protest

Junior doctors continue protest

Separately, Ghosh was previously arrested by the CBI in an investigation into financial irregularities and is currently in judicial custody until September 23. The CBI alleges that Ghosh embezzled funds and made 84 illegal appointments between 2022 and 2023. This comes even as junior doctors continue their sit-in outside 'Swasthya Bhavan,' the state health department headquarters in Salt Lake, for the seventh consecutive day after failed dialogue attempts with the state government.