The Trinamul Congress on Thursday questioned the CBI’s investigation into the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-and-murder case, accusing the central agency of attempting to confuse the public and the judiciary in a bid to cover up its alleged failure to arrive at any breakthrough.

“Today is August 22, and the CBI is yet to make any arrests. The lone accused in the crime, Sanjay Roy, was arrested by Kolkata Police,” said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh.

The CBI took over the case of the gruesome rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar on August 13, four days after the crime took place, following an order from Calcutta High Court.

“The CBI has failed. It has been delaying the investigation. With the help of distorted arguments in court, it has been attempting to distract the public and confuse the judiciary,” he added.

A source in the TMC said the party would increase pressure on the central agency as the Opposition, particularly the BJP, has come out all guns blazing against Kolkata
Police to expedite the state’s investigation.

“Those who were not willing to give Kolkata Police three days are now silent despite no developments in seven days after the CBI took over the probe. We want the people of this state to question the central agency about its tardy investigation,” said a senior TMC leader.

Ghosh, reacting to the observation and order issued by the Supreme Court, questioned why the CBI had not acted against those accused of sending “wrong information” to the victim’s family.

The victim’s family claimed that someone from the hospital called them on the morning of August 9, claiming their daughter had committed suicide.

“If someone provided incorrect information, why has the CBI not taken action against that person? No one claimed that the police conveyed the wrong information. If the CBI alleges that the crime scene was tampered with, it is their responsibility to take action against those involved,” said the Trinamul leader.

The TMC welcomed the apex court’s order, which urged the doctors to resume duty and requested that they not politicise the issue.

CPM leader and advocate for the victim’s family, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya, however, said he believed that the apex court had wasted its time by speaking about lapses in the state police probe.

“I believe that the Supreme Court is wasting time. There is no need to speak about the lapses in the state government investigation. Now the CBI is investigating the case. Let them finish their investigation. In a nutshell, I can say that the Supreme Court is interested to see the doctors join their work and they will take the rest of the responsibility,” said Bhattacharyya.

The BJP mounted a sharp attack on the lapses in the probe by Kolkata Police as observed by the top court of the country.

“Today the Supreme Court ruling is saying what we have been saying for so long. The apex court (judge) said (he) hadn’t seen anything like this (lapses in probe) in the 30 years of his career. This is shocking and depressing. As a woman and a citizen of this state I am really ashamed,” BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said.

Asked about the TMC’s allegation that CBI couldn’t do anything yet, the BJP MLA said: “The question is about intention. Kolkata Police intended to tamper with evidence and save Sandip Ghosh. Why? Nobody knows. The CBI, on the other hand, is trying to search for evidence from the ashes. I don’t know if they will succeed or not.”