The focus on the police’s role in the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case has intensified following Monday’s Supreme Court hearing, further amplifying the BJP’s demand for the dismissal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. The call for his resignation has been growing, with opposition parties rallying behind it, especially in light of the ongoing investigation and recent developments.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, has asked for patience, citing the upcoming Durga Puja festivities, a critical period for maintaining law and order in the city. “The Kolkata Police Commissioner has come to me several times last week and offered to resign,” Banerjee said. “But we have Pujo coming up. Someone who is aware of law and order has to be there. If you have patience for a few days, will it be a Mahabharat (big deal)?”
Public Outcry and Police Role Under Scrutiny
The demand for Commissioner Goyal’s resignation gained traction following the arrest of Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, where the victim worked. Dr. Ghosh is facing charges of negligence in handling the incident, and many protestors are now turning their attention to the police’s role in the investigation.
The victim’s parents have claimed they were pressured by the police to cremate their daughter’s body, alleging that an officer even offered them money to cover up the case. These allegations have led to widespread criticism of how the police handled the situation from the outset.
ALSO READ: ‘It is important because…’: The key document Supreme Court wants to see in Kolkata rape and murder case
The investigation has raised questions about the procedural lapses, such as the delayed filing of the First Information Report (FIR), which took 14 hours. The Supreme Court has flagged this delay multiple times during the ongoing hearings, further intensifying scrutiny on the Kolkata Police.
Missing Documents and Supreme Court Concerns
Today’s Supreme Court session shed light on a critical issue: the apparent absence of a challan—a form detailing what articles of clothing or personal items were submitted with the body for forensic examination. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud raised concerns over this missing document, stating that a postmortem cannot proceed without it. “See the third column on the top,” Justice JB Pardiwala noted, referring to the form.
“The constable who brought the body is supposed to carry this. It has been struck off. So there is no reference of this challan when the dead body is sent for examination. You need to explain.”
ALSO READ: CJI DY Chandrachud rebukes lawyer during hearing in Kolkata doctor rape and murder, asks him to lower his voice
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, admitted he could not immediately locate the document and sought more time to submit it to the court.
The absence of the challan raises serious questions about procedural adherence, further complicating the case and adding to the cloud of suspicion over the police’s handling of the incident.
CBI Investigation and Forensic Questions
In addition to the missing challan, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has raised concerns regarding the collection of forensic samples. The CBI, which has taken over the investigation, flagged the question of who collected the samples from the crime scene, which has emerged as a critical point in the probe. The agency has now decided to send the samples to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi for further examination.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the CBI, said, “We have a forensic examination report, and one thing is admitted: when the girl was found at 9:30 am, her jeans and undergarments were removed and lying nearby… They have taken samples and sent them to CFSL in West Bengal. CBI has taken a decision to send the samples to AIIMS.”
The CBI has been tasked with filing a fresh report in the case by next Tuesday as investigations continue to unravel more details.
The focus on police accountability, coupled with the missing documents and procedural irregularities, has added further weight to the calls for the resignation of Vineet Goyal.
As the investigation deepens and the Supreme Court raises more questions, the public and opposition parties are pressuring the state government to take swift action. However, with Durga Puja just around the corner, Mamata Banerjee’s decision to retain Goyal for the time being may prolong the brewing political and legal storm.
Did you know that you can join The Theorist on WhatsApp and stay updated? Click here
