‘Copy-paste’ SIT report: HC pulls up CBI over RG Kar probe
Times of India | 26 June 2026
Kolkata: Expressing dissatisfaction with the CBI’s progress in probing the alleged “larger conspiracy” behind the RG Kar rape and murder, Calcutta HC on Thursday described a report filed by the agency’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) as a “copy-paste” of its earlier submissions and questioned whether the investigation should continue with the central agency.
The observation came while a special division bench was hearing a plea by the victim’s parents, who have alleged that a larger conspiracy behind the crime remains uninvestigated.
Appearing for the parents, senior advocate Jayanta Narayan Chatterjee submitted that if the CBI was unable to make progress, the probe should be handed over to CID. The CBI, however, told the court that there had been a mistake in understanding the court’s earlier directions.
In a two-page order, the bench of Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Tirthankar Ghosh said it was “not satisfied” with the report submitted by the SIT, headed by the CBI’s joint director (eastern zone).
The court questioned what information and documents had been collected by the agency during the investigation and noted that while the phrase “larger conspiracy” had been repeatedly cited, the report offered little beyond that assertion.
Counsel for CBI submitted that the investigation was continuing and that all aspects of the case would be examined.
“The investigation has been continuing from Oct 2024 and we expect that a final shape to the investigation should be granted forthwith. To that effect, all the materials collected shall be submitted before this court on the next date, in a sealed cover,” the bench said.
The matter will be heard next on Aug 6.
The bench also observed that although some interrogations had been conducted, they were “not sufficient”.
In its previous order on May 21, the court had directed the SIT, relieving investigating officer Seema Pahuja of the assignment, to examine all circumstances surrounding the night of the crime — from the victim’s dinner with colleagues to her cremation. It had also directed the SIT to revisit the parents’ grievances and question them, if required.
On Thursday, the bench reiterated: “We are not satisfied with the report filed before us.”