On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation into the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The court directed the local police to immediately hand over all relevant documents to the CBI for further examination.
The incident occurred on Friday morning at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the woman doctor was found dead in the seminar hall. She was allegedly raped and murdered. A civic volunteer was arrested on Saturday in connection with the case.
The victim's parents, along with other petitioners, had approached the high court, requesting a court-monitored investigation due to concerns about the state police's handling of the case. Several public interest litigations (PILs) also called for a CBI probe.
In its order, the high court noted the state’s standing counsel’s report that the investigation had been conducted appropriately, with over 25 statements recorded and one arrest made. However, the court acknowledged concerns from the victim's parents that the state police might mishandle the investigation, potentially derailing justice.
The court observed that protests over the incident had spread to other states, highlighting the case's national significance. The decision to transfer the case to the CBI underscores the need for a thorough and impartial investigation, given the widespread public and media attention surrounding the tragic event.