‘Never suggested victim’s death was suicide’: Cops squash rumours as CBI takes custody of prime accused Sanjoy Roy in Kolkata's RG Kar hospital doctor rape-murder
Times of India | 15 August 2024
CBI took custody of Sanjoy Roy, the main suspect in the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College, following a court directive transferring the case from Kolkata police. KOLKATA: CBI took custody Wednesday of Sanjoy Roy, the prime accused in the rape and murder of a postgraduate resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, following Calcutta high court's directive Tuesday to transfer the investigation and all related documents and evidence from Kolkata police to the central agency.
Police complied, transferring key evidence, including the case diary, CCTV footage from the hospital, and a Bluetooth headphone wire found at the crime scene.
Police also issued a stern warning against spreading rumours that could hinder the probe. "Rumours don't help but harm probe," police posted on social media, clarifying that contrary to claims circulating on social media, they never suggested the victim's death was a suicide
The doctor's body was discovered in the govt-run institution's seminar hall on Aug 9, triggering outrage and widespread protests in Kolkata and across the country.
A police officer debunked several pieces of misinformation, including the claim that semen from three people was found on the victim's body. "It is impossible to distinguish semen from three individuals with the naked eye during an autopsy," the officer explained. The officer dismissed rumours that the victim's collarbone and pelvic guard were broken: "From the autopsy report we know she did not have any broken bone." Addressing allegations that a police officer offered money to silence the victim's family, the officer clarified: "After the Nirbhaya case, the state is obligated to provide financial compensation to the families of victims in cases of murder, acid attacks, rape and molestation."
Following the HC order, CBI officers were flown in from New Delhi Tuesday night, and by Wednesday morning, three teams had been formed. One team was responsible for securing Roy's custody, another for examining the crime scene at RG Kar hospital with experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in New Delhi, and a third for analysing the victim's call records to identify potential witnesses and contacts.
CBI initiated Roy's interrogation following a mandatory medical exam of the accused. CBI's investigation is currently focused on uncovering the victim's activities and interactions during the critical four-hour period before her death. The agency aims to determine who she met, and the nature of her conversations leading up to the crime. A series of dramatic events unfolded during Roy's transport for the medical check-up, initially scheduled at ESI hospital.
Due to ongoing protests related to the crime, CBI officers redirected the prison van towards the military's Command Hospital.