Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh criticized the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the Sealdah Court granted bail to former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh in the Kolkata rape and murder case. Ghosh accused the CBI of failing to establish a strong case, calling it “baseless” and “distorted”.
TMC’s Reaction
Ghosh emphasized that the Kolkata Police had promptly arrested the main accused, Sanjay Roy, within 24 hours of the incident. He claimed that CBI involvement, driven by anti-government factions, resulted in delays and inefficiencies.
“The anti-government public wanted the CBI to take over the case. Now that it was with the CBI, we see they failed to prove the involvement of Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mondal, leading to bail,” Ghosh said.
BJP Criticizes CBI for Delays
On the other hand, BJP leader Agnimitra Paul expressed disappointment over the CBI’s delay in filing the chargesheet, calling it “unfortunate and shameful”. She accused certain CBI officers of mishandling the investigation and assured the victim’s family of the BJP’s support:
“Why is the CBI not submitting the chargesheet on time? This case is not ordinary; it is being watched by 10 crore people. BJP will stand with Abhaya’s family and ensure justice.”
Victim’s Family Disappointed
The mother of the deceased doctor voiced her frustration with the CBI’s failure to file the chargesheet within the mandatory 90-day legal deadline, which allowed the court to grant bail to Sandip Ghosh and former officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal:
“We are very disappointed that CBI did not file the chargesheet. This failure let them get bail.”
Case Background
- The incident occurred on August 9, when the body of a trainee doctor was discovered in a seminar room at RG Kar Medical College.
- The Kolkata Police had quickly arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, as the main accused. However, the case sparked public outrage and protests, prompting the Calcutta High Court to transfer the investigation to the CBI.
Corruption Investigation Parallel to Murder Probe
Amid the murder probe, the CBI filed a financial misconduct chargesheet on November 29, naming Sandip Ghosh and others for irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. This further complicated the investigation, drawing criticism over the CBI’s handling of both aspects.
Accusations and Allegations
- Sanjay Roy, the primary suspect, alleged from a police van that the case was a conspiracy involving senior police officials, including former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal.
“They framed me. There are other big officers involved,” Roy claimed on November 11.
Key Takeaways
- The court’s decision to grant bail resulted from procedural delays, sparking political blame games between the TMC and the BJP.
- The CBI faces criticism from both political parties and the victim’s family for failing to deliver timely justice.
- The case remains contentious, with both murder allegations and corruption charges under scrutiny.
As the investigation continues, the political battle over accountability and justice intensifies, reflecting the larger law-and-order debate in West Bengal.