RG Kar evidence tampering row: Hospital starts demolishing a portion near seminar hall where the doctor was raped and killed

Even before the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) started its probe after being handed over the case by the Calcutta High Court, allegations were being raised that evidence was being tampered with on the pretext of the construction work at the seminar hall.

According to media reports, the renovation work started on Aug 10, just a day after the body of the victim was recovered from the seminar room.

This comes amid allegations of police negligence in this case. However, the Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has repeatedly said the investigation is being fast-tracked.

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into the rape and murder of the PG trainee doctor in Kolkata's state-run RG Kar Medical College Hospital, an incident triggering nationwide outrage.

Also read: RG Kar horror: Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe into Kolkata doctor's rape and murder case

Strangely, the demolishing work started within 200 meters of the seminar hall, to construct the restroom for the doctors.

The issue came to light after the National Commission for Women visited the hospital premises on Tuesday and was surprised to see construction work. The ACP on duty was called by the officials of the National Commission for Women and was ordered to 'stop work'.

The Women's Commission fears that the evidence may be destroyed due to the demolishing work.

A medical student, who is protesting, told TV9 Bangla: "We have seen from the first day that the Kolkata Police is trying to destroy information and evidence. The Chief Minister is seeking seven days to crack the case. But evidence would be tampered by then."

Reacting to the incident BJP leader Amit Malviya said: "While West Bengal is seething with anger, given Mamata Banerjee's apathy and Kolkata Police’s botched cover-up attempt, RG Kar Medical College authorities break down room walls, inside the Chest Medicine Dept, where the on-duty junior doctor was subjected to brutal rape and murder, destroying what could be crucial circumstantial evidence, which could have led the CBI investigating team to the murderers. Area marked as Resident Doctor's Area and Toilet (Female) inside the Chest Medicine Dept also being broken down in the name of renovation.

"This leaves no one in doubt that Mamata Banerjee was all along eliminating evidences and covering crime trail to protect those involved in the heinous crime, who, it is speculated, happen to be family members of influential TMC leaders," he said.

Earlier in the day, the Calcutta High Court ordered controversial Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who was appointed as the principal of Calcutta National Medical College head within hours of his resignation as the head of RG Kar Medical College, to go on a long leave, coming down heavily on the state government in the trainee doctor's rape and murder case that has sent shockwaves across the country.

"The Principal is the guardian of all doctors working there... if he doesn't show any empathy who will show? He should be at home not working anywhere...," Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said as quoted by NDTV.

"... this Principal will not function... let him go on long leave. Otherwise, we pass an order," the court said.

The parents of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital's trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered at the seminar hall, claimed they were told that their daughter died of suicide by the state authorities, media reports said.

Alleging gross insensitivity in dealing with the heinous crime, the parents told the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday as quoted by NDTV, "We were told at 9.30 pm she was unwell... then (told) she committed suicide. The hospital did not allow me to see my daughter."

Students prevent Ghosh from entering Calcutta National Medical College

Meanwhile, the students of Calcutta National Medical College on Tuesday blocked former RG Kar College principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh from entering the campus protesting against the alleged rape and murder of the medical student.

The trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered at the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which is located in North Kolkata's Belgachia area.

One person, a civic volunteer, has been arrested in connection with the case but protesting students suspect more people are involved in the case.