A special court in Kolkata on Wednesday denied bail to former RG Kar Medical College principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh and suspended police officer Abhijit Mondal, both accused in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the institution.
While issuing its order, the court observed that the charges against the two are of such grave nature that, if proven, they could fall under the “rarest of rare” category, leading to possible capital punishment. The court noted that releasing the accused on bail would go against the principles of justice and equity.
The court further emphasized that the social status of the accused — Ghosh being a senior medical professional and Mondal a police officer — cannot be overlooked. However, it did not consider their positions as reasons for granting bail. The court also rejected the plea by the accused for in-camera proceedings, although it allowed narco-analysis tests, provided the accused consent.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is handling the investigation, submitted before the court that it suspects records in the case may have been altered or falsely created. These documents have been sent for forensic examination. The CBI also pointed out that CCTV footage from Tala police station, where Mondal was posted, provided new evidence that could further implicate him in the crime.
Both Ghosh and Mondal, who were interrogated by the CBI during their custody, have now been remanded to judicial custody until September 30. Mondal was arrested on September 14, while Ghosh, who was already in judicial custody in a separate corruption case, was taken into custody the next day. The CBI had earlier arrested prime suspect Sanjay Roy on August 10, shortly after the victim’s body was discovered inside a seminar hall at the medical facility.