Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Crime Scene Was 'Altered', CBI Tells Supreme Court

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a status report to the Supreme Court regarding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The CBI claimed that the crime scene was altered and that the West Bengal Police initially misled the victim's parents, first suggesting the death was a suicide, then later claiming it was a murder.

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, is hearing the case suo motu.

During the proceedings, Chief Justice Chandrachud inquired about the medical report on the injuries of the accused.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, stated that this information is part of the case diary. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that the CBI began investigating five days after the incident, by which time the crime scene had been altered.

He also mentioned that the CBI was unaware of the existence of the medical report.

Kapil Sibal countered by stating that everything had been videographed, implying that no alterations occurred.

Mehta responded that the FIR was filed only after the victim's body was cremated, and that videography was conducted only after senior doctors and colleagues insisted on it, indicating they also harbored suspicions.

The Supreme Court, expressing grave concern over the incident, which it termed "horrific," criticised the state government for the delay in filing the FIR and for allowing thousands of miscreants to vandalise the hospital.

The alleged rape and murder, which took place in a seminar hall of the hospital, have ignited nationwide protests.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which commenced its probe on August 14.

In response to this incident, the Supreme Court has also constituted a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to develop a protocol to ensure the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals.