The post-mortem of the five-year-old girl who had been raped and murdered in Alipurduar on Friday was conducted at the MJN Medical College & Hospital (MJNMCH) in Cooch Behar on Saturday without the presence of a forensic expert.

“We have only one forensic expert at the medical college here. He is on sick leave. We contacted him today but he couldn't come. So, we formed a three-member team according to the principal's instruction to conduct the post-mortem,” said Souradip Roy, the medical superintendent -cum-vice principal of MJNMCH.

Sources in the medical college said considering the delicacy of the case, the authorities wrote to the state health department, mentioning the absence of the forensic expert and the formation of the medical team for the post-mortem.

“A senior medical officer of the paediatrics department, a gynaecologist, and a pathologist were in the team. They conducted the autopsy, after which the body was handed over to the family,” said a source.

BJP leaders were quick to flag the issue. Deepak Barman, the BJP MLA of Falakata, alleged that the government was trying to conceal the evidence.

“The hospital authorities could have easily called forensic experts from the Jalpaiguri Government Medical College & Hospital or the North Bengal Medical College & Hospital, considering the importance of the case. Also, police had the option to take the body to either of these medical colleges for post-mortem but they didn't do it,” he said.

“A person has been arrested in connection with the case. We suspect that even in this case, the police and the state government are trying to bury the evidence. Thus, the post-mortem was hurriedly conducted without the presence of an expert,” the MLA added.

Trinamool has accused the BJP of playing politics over the incident.

“BJP leaders are insensitive. It is an unfortunate incident and we too want punishment of all those involved in the crime. But the BJP is playing politics,” said Mridul Goswami, a state secretary of the TMC in Alipurduar.

“We have full confidence in the medical college authorities. There is no question of concealing evidence and the chief minister has unequivocally said she wants the strictest punishment of people involved in such incidents,” he added.