Tamluk death: Dist hosp autopsy proven wrong at SSKM disturbing, says Cal HC
Times of India | 20 August 2025
Kolkata: Hearing a case relating to the mysterious death of a man in East Midnapore, Calcutta High Court on Tuesday said it was "very disturbed" after finding that the autopsy conducted at a district hospital was proven wrong by SSKM forensic experts.
Subhendu Das died on the intervening night of July 11-12. The first autopsy report by Tamralipta Government Medical College and Hospital showed death due to electrocution. A second autopsy report by SSKM doctors indicated that assault had led to his death.
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh gave the state two options: to appeal for a third autopsy at a central facility or change the investigating agency. When the state sought time, the judge remarked, "I cannot delay this matter because some wrong is being committed at the local level… I have got to take a stern decision. I was very disturbed. Why is this happening in far-off places? In one matter from Purulia, I found the same thing. Aren't forensic officers experienced, don't they have training? Are they leaving it to the local staff to conduct the autopsy?"Das's son had approached the bench of Justice Ghosh, wanting a second autopsy at a central govt facility. But the judge allowed the Tamluk hospital's autopsy doctor to give an explanation. In the meantime, the son moved the HC division bench seeking the same, and the second autopsy was allowed at SSKM by a team of three doctors. The SSKM report indicated a "theory of assault".
The family members had earlier claimed that there were external injuries on Das's body. Khejuri police filed a case under section 103 (1) (murder) and 3 (5) (common intention) of BNS.
"Issue a show cause against the doctor of that medical college. The autopsy surgeon has to be taken into account. Whatever comes out, culpability or error of judgment, that will be the outcome of the investigation… If the doctor was misguided by the investigating officer, these two persons must be brought to book. I want to give it to superior officers," Justice Ghosh said.