A special court in Kolkata denied bail on September 25 to former RG Kar principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and suspended police officer Abhijit Mondal, both accused in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the medical facility. The court noted that the charges against them are of such a nature that, during the trial, they could be deemed “rarest of rare” cases, potentially resulting in capital punishment.
In its order, the court stated, “On the other hand the nature and gravity of the accusation is grave and if proved there might be a capital punishment, which is only given in the rarest of rare case and in that situation this Court is of the opinion that, it would be injustice flouting the principle of equity, to release the accused on bail.”
The court emphasised that the “social status” of the accused—one being a doctor and the other a police officer—cannot be ignored. It stated, “The social standing of the accused is not something to overlook.” Additionally, the court denied the request for in-camera proceedings while permitting a narco-analysis test, which can only be conducted with the accused’s consent.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the court that it suspects records in the case may have been altered or falsely created, and these documents have been sent for forensic examination.
The CBI informed the court, “There may be involvement of Sandip Ghosh and the officer in charge of Tala police station, Abhijit Mondal, in this case.” They also noted that CCTV footage from the police station has provided additional evidence that Mondal can be confronted with.
After interrogating Mondal and Ghosh in custody, the CBI presented the accused to the court following the completion of their remand. The special court has ordered them to be held in judicial custody until September 30.
Mondal was arrested on September 14, while Ghosh, who was already in judicial custody for a separate corruption case, was taken into custody on September 15 following court orders. The CBI had arrested the prime suspect, Sanjay Roy, on August 10, a day after the victim’s body was discovered in a seminar hall, as his involvement in the crime had already come to light.
The CBI has alleged that an “unnecessary delay of two days” occurred in seizing Roy’s clothes and belongings, which could have provided strong evidence against him. The agency is now investigating any potential criminal conspiracy involving Roy, Ghosh, and Mondal.
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