'Who Floated Suicide Story': TMC MP Wants CBI To Question Kolkata Top Cop, Summoned By Police

The CBI must be fair and look into questions raised in the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, said senior TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray. He called for the “custodial interrogation” of Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal and former principal Dr Sandip Ghosh, following which he was summoned by the police on Sunday.

According to police sources, Ray received a notice saying his statements about the case on social media are “factually incorrect”, especially with regard to the presence of sniffer dogs at the crime scene. Signalling a stir within TMC ranks, the ruling party was also quick to defend the initial probe by the Kolkata Police and said the senior leader’s statement about the case was “unfortunate”.

In his post, the Rajya Sabha MP pointed towards the “suicide story”, the “demolition” at the seminar hall where the 31-year-old doctor’s body was found on August 9, and the “patron” behind Sanjay Roy, the main accused in the case. “CBI must act fairly. Custodial interrogation of Ex Principal and Police Commissioner is a must to know who and why floated suicide story. Why wall of hall demolished, who patronised Roy to be so powerful, Why sniffer dog used after 3 days.100s of such questions. Make them speak,” he said on X, two days after Goyal vehemently denied attempts of a cover-up in the case.

He has been summoned to Lalbazar at 4 pm. Police sources said he has written in his post that sniffer dogs were sent after three days to the crime scene, but this is completely wrong. Sniffer dogs were sent twice to the crime scene — once on August 9 and then on August 12, they said, adding that a notice under section 35(1) of the BNS has been sent to him.

Ray, who has extended his support to the doctors’ agitation and demanded speedy justice in the case, earlier wrote to Union home minister Amit Shah on August 16 demanding enactment of a stringent central law to prevent atrocities against women. Saying he has a daughter and a granddaughter, he sat on a dharna on August 14 in solidarity with the midnight protests. He also denied any attempt to sabotage the protests, saying his personal views have nothing to do with his political affiliation.

Police commissioner tried his best: TMC

The post by the TMC veteran, however, was countered by party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, who replied to it saying the police commissioner “tried his best”. “I also demand justice in RG Kar case. But strongly oppose this demand regarding CP. After got information He has tried his best. Personally CP was doing his job and investigation was in a positive focus. This kind of post is unfortunate, that too from my senior leader,” he said.

But, this was not before the BJP got wind of it. Stoking the ongoing war of words over the case between the TMC and opposition parties, Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said even the ruling party’s own members are questioning the state government. He said the TMC leader’s post shows that “Sandip Ghosh and CP Vinit are involved in more than just the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor”.

“TMC, even your own members admit that Sandip Ghosh and CP Vinit are involved in more than just the horrific rape and murder of a young doctor. This state machinery has sunk to new lows, with party members now questioning the extent of this government’s downfall,” Majumdar wrote on X, with the hashtag ‘MamataResign’.

The political blame game in the case has reached a crescendo, especially after the vandalism at the hospital premises during the midnight protests on Thursday (August 15). Opposition parties accused the TMC of sending “goons” into the ‘Reclaim the Night’ rally to destroy whatever evidence was left at the site, while chief minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the BJP and CPI(M) of being involved in the violence unleashed at the protests.

What is police commissioner’s stand on the issue?

On facing the heat from several quarters, Goyal defended the initial probe by the Kolkata Police in the case and urged people to have faith in the CBI. “We will be held liable if we did anything wrong. Let the CBI come to a conclusion. Stop rumour-mongering,” he said, adding that a “relentless campaign” has been launched against the force under him.

“Now another agency has taken up the probe. Have trust in them. If we (police) have done anything wrong or deliberately shielded or destroyed any evidence then we are liable,” he said. “Why are people so impatient? Why is rumour-mongering still going on?” he asked.

His statements came after the BJP led a full-blown attack on the top cop. The party alleged that it is likely that the Kolkata Police has played a part in destroying evidence in the case, under the “instructions” of West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

“It is quite likely that the Kolkata Police, on instructions of Mamata Banerjee, has already wiped out evidences in the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape and murder case. Initial handling by the Kolkata Police doesn’t inspire much confidence either,” BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya wrote in a post on X.

But, these allegations are not in isolation as there has been mounting criticism of the police in how it handled the case before the Calcutta High Court — citing lapses in the police investigation — transferred the case to the CBI on August 13. Protesting junior doctors and medical students at RG Kar hospital have also raised concerns about “destruction of evidence” and more than one person being involved in the crime.