Kolkata, Aug 10 (NationPress) The first anniversary of the horrific rape-murder of a female doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was commemorated on August 9; however, numerous vital questions still linger unanswered even after a year.

Those advocating for justice in this case, including the victim’s family, civil society members, intellectuals, and notably, representatives of the medical community, have intensified their demands for clarity regarding these unresolved issues.

Initially, following the discovery of the victim's body within the hospital grounds on the morning of August 9 last year, the focus of their inquiries was directed towards the West Bengal administration and Kolkata Police, who were accused of conducting a substandard initial investigation allegedly to protect the masterminds behind a 'larger conspiracy.'

Subsequently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) merely endorsed the Kolkata Police's conclusion that civic volunteer Sanjay Roy was the only perpetrator in this case. The inability to uncover the architects of the alleged 'larger conspiracy' has led to skepticism about the credibility of the CBI’s investigation.

The first pressing question posed by the victim’s family is — why has the CBI consistently adhered to the Kolkata Police's assertion that Sanjay Roy was the sole perpetrator right from the start? Roy has already been found guilty and sentenced in this matter.

“From the beginning, the CBI’s primary objective seemed to be reaffirming the Kolkata Police’s narrative that this was merely a case of rape and murder, and not a gang-rape and murder as we have continuously highlighted. Unfortunately, the CBI officials in Kolkata have persistently dismissed our concerns,” remarked the victim’s father.

The second unanswered question pertains to the CBI’s failure to submit a supplementary charge sheet against former R.G. Kar Principal Sandeep Ghosh and former SHO of Tala Police station Avijit Mondal even after one year. Both were detained by the CBI on charges of compromising evidence during the initial investigation conducted by the Kolkata Police.

Ghosh and Mondal were granted default bail due to the CBI's failure to file a supplementary charge sheet within 90 days of their arrest.

The third question arises from the CBI’s decision to appoint one of its Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, Sampat Meena, to lead the investigation, who coincidentally was a batchmate of former Kolkata Police Commissioner and current additional director general of the special task force of West Bengal Police, Vineet Kumar Goyal.

To recall, Goyal was serving as the city police chief when this heinous crime occurred in August last year, and the initial investigation began under his oversight. Following significant public uproar, Goyal was removed from his position as city police chief. Subsequently, the CBI took over the case upon a directive from the Calcutta High Court.

The victim’s family has also informed a trial court in Kolkata that they have concerns regarding the neutrality of the CBI investigation, considering the relationship between Meena and Goyal.

On August 9, marking the tragic anniversary, even the BJP’s former national vice-president and the party’s former state chief in West Bengal, Dilip Ghosh, voiced that the parents' grievances regarding the CBI’s investigation progress were entirely justified.

Ghosh even went as far as to demand a fresh investigation from the beginning, under court supervision and by a new investigative team.

On this sorrowful occasion, IANS spoke with various individuals from different sectors who have been protesting since last August. Like the victim’s parents, they expressed disappointment with the CBI's investigation progress.

Manas Gumta, the former general secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors (AHSD), West Bengal, was among the doctors leading the protests that shook West Bengal last year.

Speaking to IANS, Gumta stated that several critical factors have not been addressed by either the state police or the CBI.

"We believe that multiple individuals were involved in the incident, and the investigation must identify these individuals. Why was the crime scene left unsecured post-incident? Why were so many individuals allowed access? Why was the wall of the adjacent washroom demolished? Why was the post-mortem rushed? Who is the state government trying to protect? Why did the government attempt to suppress the doctors' protests? Why has the CBI not identified those involved in the nexus? There are countless questions that remain unanswered," he asserted.

Aniket Mahato, a prominent figure in the junior doctors' protests, told IANS that the state government must ensure such incidents do not recur. "The crime scene was compromised after the incident. Was evidence being destroyed? If so, at whose direction? There have been numerous allegations against the hospital authorities regarding various irregularities. Why has the investigation failed to uncover the truth? A year has passed since the incident. Most importantly, what has the CBI achieved after a year of investigation?” questioned Mahato.

Actress and social activist, Ushashi Chakraborty, a leading advocate in the protest movement, emphasized that persistent mass movements remain crucial to ensure thorough investigations and the delivery of justice.