Kolkata: CBI, probing the larger conspiracy in connection to the rape and murder of the 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Hospital, on Monday claimed that the investigation was at a crucial stage and they had come across incriminating evidence that was being checked.
The agency, which produced former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and ex-Tala PS officer in charge Abhijit Mandal virtually at the additional chief metropolitan magistrate court on Monday, claimed that their alleged role in trying to "downplay" the rape and murder was being investigated. The agency has meanwhile seized five hard disks and as many DVRs that have CCTV footage. The seized articles have been sent to the central forensic laboratory in Kolkata. After the data is extracted and analysed, the agency will interrogate witnesses.
"Further investigation against both the accused is continuing on the aspect of destruction of evidence, delay in registration of FIR and to downplay the matter and larger conspiracy in the commission of the rape and murder," the CBI counsel said in the court.
Ghosh's lawyer, Zohaib Rauf, said that the allegations against him were in connection to the destruction of evidence and that was liable for a punishment of seven years. "The agency has not put any evidence against him for involvement in the rape and murder. Under these circumstances, he is liable to get bail if the agency fails to file a charge sheet within 60 days," he said. While both Ghosh and Mandal moved a bail plea, the judge turned it down. They will be produced at the court again on Dec 2.
Present at the district judge's court, the magistrate who was present during the inquest and the photographer at the spot gave their testimony. Another doctor, who was also present to depose before the court, will be heard on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, at the special CBI court at Alipore, CBI moved a plea to interrogate Suman Hazra and Biplab Singha in judicial custody. The investigators, who have come across some crucial evidence in connection to the financial transactions, said on Monday that the duo's interrogation was essential at this stage. "We have moved a bail plea for Singha only. The case will be heard next on Dec 2," said Indrajit Adhikari, Singha's lawyer.