A Kolkata court criticized the CBI for its casual approach in the RG Kar rape case, denying their request for extended custody of the accused. The court ordered both suspects to remain in judicial custody for an additional four days. It emphasized the need for a more serious and diligent investigation. The next hearing is scheduled for October 4.
Kolkata: A Kolkata court harshly criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its handling of the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor from RG Kar hospital.
The presiding judge voiced displeasure with the investigative agency, remarking,
“The CBI shouldn’t be so casual in making applications.”
The case involves the arrests of police inspector Abhijit Mondal and former RG Kar hospital principal Sandip Ghosh. Both appeared virtually in court as the CBI sought to extend their custody for further questioning based on newly recovered evidence.
The CBI claims that data retrieved from DVRs, hard drives, and mobile phones, including CCTV footage from Tala police station, revealed “new and crucial facts.”
The defense lawyer strongly contested the need for further extension of custody during the hearing.
Advocate Ayan Bhattacharya, representing Abhijit Mondal, argued,
“I have been in judicial custody for days, yet I haven’t been questioned for even a single minute. If the CBI has the data, why do they need my custody again?”
Similarly, Sandip Ghosh’s lawyer, Zohaib Rauf, questioned the relevance of his client’s interrogation based on evidence from Tala police station, stating,
“I was the principal of RG Kar hospital, not Tala police station. Why should I be questioned for this?”
The defense also raised concerns that the CBI might be seeking extended custody to delay bail.
Bhattacharya pointed out,
“Despite five days of CBI custody, they didn’t question my client even once,”
Facing intense scrutiny, the CBI’s legal team had difficulty defending their request for extended custody. After multiple revisions to their application, the judge permitted an amendment but stressed the importance of thoroughness and care in the process.
The court ultimately rejected the CBI’s plea for extended custody, instructing that both accused remain in judicial custody for an additional four days.
The next hearing has been scheduled for October 4.