New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigating the rape and murder of a post graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata in its remand note to the trial court on Friday made no mention of “gang rape” or the involvement of multiple individuals in the August 9 incident. The CBI had sought judicial custody for Sanjay Roy, the sole suspect arrested in the case so far.
Parents frustrated with the pace of the investigation
The victim’s parents, however, allege that their daughter was gang-raped before being murdered. They have approached the Calcutta high court, calling for a court-monitored investigation and expressing their belief that more than one person was involved.
Frustrated with the pace of the investigation, the parents have urged the CBI to expedite the process. “We are losing patience now. It has been 14 days since the incident. The CBI has to be more proactive,” said the victim’s father. “Each day is heavy on us now. Every passing day seems like a year to us,” the victim’s mother added, speaking to The Times of India.
Reliance on evidence collected by Kolkata Police
There are multiple questions and challenges before the investigating agency in the case.
One of the primary difficulties the CBI faces is its reliance on evidence collected by the Kolkata Police, as they do not have access to the deceased’s body. Allegations have surfaced that the crime scene in the seminar hall was tampered with, and also due to the “renovation” of a room adjacent to the crime scene. Concerns have been raised that vital evidence, such as footprints, might have been destroyed during this renovation, potentially involving multiple people entering the vicinity of the crime scene.
The limitations of the CBI’s investigation stem from the need to rely heavily on evidence already gathered by the Kolkata Police.
Experts’ questions and suggestions
Dr B.N. Mishra from the Forensic Medicine Department at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Delhi, in an interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh, explained that the resolution of any case hinges on the quality of evidence found at the crime scene. He noted that if the CBI possesses crucial samples such as bloodstains, nail clippings, semen, or hair from the victim, it would aid significantly in the investigation. However, the absence or compromise of such evidence could severely undermine the ability to prove the allegations in court.
Dr Mishra further highlighted that even when evidence at the crime scene is compromised, valuable clues could still be derived from the victim’s body. But, in this instance, the victim’s body has already been cremated.
Nevertheless, Dr Mishra suggested that if the victim’s viscera were preserved, it could still assist in the investigation. Viscera examination involves testing samples from the intestines, kidneys, and liver to ascertain the precise cause and time of death.
No disturbance in the seminar hall. But how?
Dr Ajay Mishra, a polygraph test expert with the Delhi government, commented on the CBI’s decision to conduct polygraph tests on six individuals connected to the case. He observed that it is unusual for so many people to be tested in a single case. While polygraph tests can help in piecing together the investigation, their results hold no legal value in court, where only physical evidence from the crime scene is considered.
The CBI is also examining how the crime was executed without any disturbance in the seminar hall where the victim was found. A broken tower bolt on the door has drawn attention, as investigators are looking into whether someone was stationed outside to prevent interference.
