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