What is Kamduni case, in spotlight amid Kolkata doctor's rape-murder
The recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has reignited discussions about the 2013 Kamduni case. The latter involved the brutal gang rape and killing of a 20-year-old undergraduate student in Kamduni, near Kolkata. Her body was found in a semi-naked condition, like the postgraduate trainee doctor. She was discovered dead behind a boundary wall, with dry grass and marshes surrounding her, her private parts bleeding and ripped.
The Kamduni case: A timeline of events
This incident had led to widespread protests against the state's Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, prompting an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police. Vineet Goyal, who is currently Kolkata's Commissioner of Police and was then the special inspector general (IG) in CID, directed Inspector Anandamoy Chatterjee to lead the investigation into this case. Nine men were apprehended in connection with this crime.
Trial and verdict in the Kamduni case
Out of the nine men arrested, Rafiqul Islam and Noor Ali were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while Gopal Naskar passed away during the trial. In January 2016, a trial court sentenced Saiful Ali, Ansar Ali, and Amin Ali to death for their involvement in the crime. Sheikh Imanul Islam, Aminur Islam, and Bhola Naskar were given 10-year prison sentences by the same court.
High court's revision and release of convicts
However, in October 2023, the Calcutta High Court commuted the death sentences of Saiful and Ansar to life imprisonment, while Amin was acquitted. The three convicts sentenced to life imprisonment were released after serving their jail term. The division bench of the high court noted that the trial court had made a mistake in awarding the death penalty as conspiracy was not proven in this case.
Lawyer questions credibility of top cop Goyal
Recently, a lawyer representing one of the petitioners told the high court that the trainee doctor's case may not be resolved, and the accused may walk free. While arguing for the case to be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), lawyer Firoz Eduljee said, "Be rest assured, milord, ten years from now this case will go just the Kamduni way." CM Mamata Banerjee has given the CBI until Sunday to ensure that the guilty face the death penalty.
