The ongoing investigation into the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has seen significant developments. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting lie-detection tests on several individuals involved in the case.Â
Sanjay Roy, the primary accused and a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, is undergoing his polygraph test within the prison where he is being held. The decision to conduct his test in prison comes amid heightened scrutiny and media attention surrounding the case. Meanwhile, the other six individuals, including former Principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh, four hospital employees who were on duty the night of the incident, and a civil volunteer, are undergoing their polygraph tests at the CBI office in Kolkata.
A specialized team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Delhi has arrived in Kolkata to administer these tests. Their role is crucial in determining the veracity of the individuals' statements and assessing their potential involvement in the crime.
The victim, a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor, was tragically found dead in a seminar hall at the state-run hospital on August 9. Sanjay Roy was arrested the day after the incident, with the investigation revealing numerous inconsistencies in the testimonies of several individuals connected to the case.
The CBI's scrutiny has particularly focused on four hospital employees who interacted with the victim on the night she was killed. The discrepancies in their statements have led to their inclusion in the polygraph tests, aiming to uncover any involvement or knowledge they might have had regarding the crime.
Further complicating the investigation, the fingerprints of two first-year PGT doctors were discovered in the seminar room where the victim was found. These individuals had shared a meal with the victim before she went to the seminar hall, making their statements and actions during that period critical to the investigation. One of these individuals, a house staff member seen on CCTV footage moving between different floors, and an intern who interacted with the victim before her death, are also undergoing polygraph testing.
Sanjoy Roy's defense attorney, Kabita Sarkar, has publicly maintained her client's innocence, asserting that the polygraph test will affirm this. Sarkar stated, "My client Sanjay Roy also wants officials to conduct a polygraph test on him, as it will bring the truth out. He is innocent and eager for the polygraph test to clear his name." She believes that the test will validate his client's claims and counter the accusations against him.
The harrowing case has triggered widespread outrage and protests across the nation. Medical professionals and activists are calling for stronger laws and protections for healthcare workers, demanding measures to safeguard them from such acts of violence. The case has highlighted severe gaps in security and protection for those working in healthcare settings, leading to a broader debate on the safety of medical professionals.
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