Kolkata: CBI calls North Bengal lobby doctors for RG Kar rape-murder grill
Times of India | 22 September 2024
Avik De (left) and Birupaksha Biswas (right) KOLKATA: The North Bengal lobby of doctors are now under the scanner of the CBI probing the R G Kar Medical College crime and the alleged corruption on the campus. The central investigating agency on Saturday questioned Birupaksha Biswas, a senior resident doctor reportedly close to former R G Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, for the rape and murder of the doctor. Avik De, a first-year PGT doctor at SSKM, also part of the North Bengal lobby and supposedly close to Ghosh, too, appeared before the CBI for questioning in the rape and murder.
"I cannot comment on anything at this juncture. Let me attend the investigation first," Biswas said before entering the CGO Complex office.
Biswas, who was recently transferred by the West Bengal Health Department from Burdwan Medical College and Hospital to Kakdwip Hospital, appeared before CBI officers at the agency's office at CGO Complex in Salt Lake. Biswas was reportedly seen at R G Kar on Aug 9, when the body of the deceased doctor's body was found.
A CBI officer said both the doctors, who were being questioned, were seen inside the crime scene, the seminar hall at RG Kar, where the woman's body was lying. "Neither Biswas nor De apparently did not have any official engagement there," said a CBI officer.
A widely-circulated video purportedly showed both De and Biswas inside the seminar hall on the third floor of the emergency building.
Junior doctors alleged that both Biswas and De, part of the north Bengal lobby, were part of a nexus that manipulated appointments in govt hospitals and threatened students and faculty members who criticised them. De was a member of West Bengal Medical Council and Biswas a member of the council's penal and ethics committee.
Biswas's name in connection to the North Bengal lobby surfaced when a purported voice clip was widely circulated. Biswas, in the clip, was allegedly heard issuing threats. Biswas has, however, denied any the allegation.
Earlier this month, the state govt suspended both of the doctors and initiated a departmental inquiry against them. A section of junior doctors lodged an FIR at the Bowbazar police station against Biswas and De, saying the two had threatened them that they would destroy their career. The Medical Council had also asked the two to stay away from any meeting or activity of the council.
There is also an allegation against Biswas for taking money from a student on the pretext of securing admission at medical school. It is alleged that four years ago, he took Rs 8 lakh in two instalments from a student from Jalangi in Murshidabad, promising him to secure a seat at a medical school. Biswas reportedly neither secured the admission nor returned the money. Later, the student's father registered an FIR against Biswas.