Archive for month: September, 2024

Kolkata: In connection with the ongoing investigation related to the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor at state-run R G Kar Medical College & Hospital, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials probing the case have issued a notice to the Public Works Department (PWD) asking them to submit documents related to the construction and renovation carried out at the hospital in the past three years. 

The notice was issued to the electrical and civil wings of the department that undertakes construction and renovation in government buildings after CBI secured some crucial clues regarding the renovation that was carried out on the same floor as the RG Kar seminar room at the hospital on August 10 where the doctor was found dead on August 9. 

In the notice, the PWD has been asked to present all documents related to procedures adopted and followed by them while allocating construction or renovation to private vendors or carried out by the department itself.

Also read- IMA questions Fingerprint expert’s involvement, Slams Kolkata Police’s handling of RG Kar medico death case

According to the documents reviewed by the investigating officials, IANS sources indicated the instruction was given by a former senior doctor of the hospital who also held an administrative position, and who was transferred after the rape and murder tragedy. He is known to be an extremely close confidant of the former and controversial Principal of R.G. Kar College, Sandip Ghosh. 

Now, CBI officials are trying to figure out whether the senior doctor gave the instruction on his own or it was given following the advice of anyone.

On the evening of August 13, just hours after a division bench of Calcutta High Court ordered CBI to take over the rape case and investigation probe from Kolkata Police, the state PWD staff attempted the renovation work at a room adjacent to the seminar hall from where the body of the victim was recovered on the morning of August 9.

However, that renovation work could not be carried out following massive protests by the students’ fraternity within the hospital premises as soon as that work on that count started. Sources said that the investigating officials have come across a crucial document which shows that the instructions on the renovation activities were given on August 10, just a day after the victim’s body was recovered.

Speaking to The Telegraph, a senior official said, “It appears that the central agency is looking into the alleged irregularities carried out at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during the tenure of former principal Sandip Ghosh.”

Earlier, a junior doctor said, “If more than one person could be involved (in the crime), the rooms just opposite the seminar hall could hold vital clues. But now it has been broken down. The timing raises suspicion.”

Feeling awkward after receiving notice from the agency for the first time, an official said, “This is the first time the department has been asked to submit details of schemes carried out at a particular hospital. The department is trying to put together all related documents as sought by the central agency.”

Meanwhile, the Central agency officials are also tracking the secret behind the cremation of the body of the victim in haste instead of preserving it at the hospital morgue which could have enabled a second post-mortem of the body.

A team of CBI officials reached the hospital on Thursday afternoon and questioned some hospital staff and officials under whose instructions arrangements were made for the cremation of the body. At the same time, Ghosh is also being questioned by them on why as head of the medical college, he did not give instruction for preserving the body at the morgue to facilitate a second post-mortem if necessary or if demanded by the family members of the victim.

Also read- ‘Your Daughter is sick’ to ‘May have died by suicide’: 3 audio clips from RG Kar Hospital to Medico’s parents go viral

Kolkata: After the Kolkata police clarified a crowded photo of the seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the PG trainee doctor was found dead on August 9, the West Bengal state branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) slammed the police department and questioned the presence of alleged ‘Fingerprint Expert’ Dr Avik De in the seminar room.   

Recently, the association pointed out Dr Avik De who was referred to be a Finger Print Expert as per a Kolkata police statement. Issuing a press release on Saturday, the association claimed that the person, who was referred to as the fingerprint expert, was a first-year postgraduate trainee of the surgery department at Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (SSKM), Kolkata.

Also read- RG Kar Medico Death Case: FAIMA calls for peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar today

This comes after a press conference held by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), Indira Mukherjee, where she claimed that no unauthorized individuals were present at the crime scene. However, a viral photograph of a crowded seminar room on the day of the incident features Dr Avik, whose credentials are now in question as he was seen among police officers, videographers, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) members, and others in the seminar room.

Meanwhile, the viral photos showing many people in the seminar hall have raised concerns about whether it is acceptable for so many individuals to access the crime scene. Furthermore, there are allegations that the crime scene’s integrity was compromised, as reported by News 18.   

In a Facebook post, the association stated, “Please let us know when the great Dr Avik De became Finger Print Expert? (As stated by Kolkata Police). As we all know, he is a 1st year Post Graduate Trainee of Surgery Department of SSKM Hospital.”

Further, it said, “We also know that there are lot of controversies regarding his getting admission to the PG course. It is said that though Dr Avik De worked as an RMO in Burdwan Medical College, but the then Principal of that College Dr Kaustav Nayek gave him a false Certificate mentioning that he worked in Anamoy Hospital, just to get him Service Quota for PG admission, manipulating all the official papers. And in return without declaring the result of the 1st interview or cancelling the same, Dr Kaustav Nayek was made DME through a 2nd interview, superseeding many other senior & eligible Principals.”

Expressing concern over the issue, the association has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation  (CBI) to investigate his presence and reidentify Dr Avik De. They also asked the agency to enquire what he was doing at R G Kar at the crime scene as he was found standing behind DME during his press briefing.

Also read- PG Medico rape-murder case: Former RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh suspended by IMA

Adilabad: In response to recent safety concerns, the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) has been placed under comprehensive surveillance, including installing police monitoring and CCTV cameras. This measure aims to ensure the safety and security of medicos and staff working around the clock, especially at night.

To enhance safety measures, police vehicles will patrol the slum areas adjacent to the RIMS campus during the night. Increased police surveillance will also ensure the safety and security of patients and their attendants. Nearly 600 medicos and trainee doctors reside at RIMS, Adilabad.

Additionally, extra CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the area from all angles. Shops selling liquor in front of RIMS and near its campus will be required to close by 10 PM to prevent any untoward incidents. These enhanced security measures are expected to provide students and staff with a greater sense of security, allowing them to focus more on their educational and professional responsibilities.

The intensified police surveillance follows a memorandum from doctors to Superintendent Gause Alam, requesting increased security in light of the recent rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at a medical facility in Kolkata.

The district police will train the private security agency members guarding RIMS in mob control techniques. A police outpost, staffed in shifts with three constables, is being maintained at RIMS, and police vehicles will be stationed on the campus when available.

Also Read: MGM Medical College Dean begins night rounds at hospitals affiliated with college for enhanced safety

He noted that the police and security guards would arrive quickly to protect them from unwanted incidents. Additionally, during his discussion, Gause Alam informed medicos about anti-ragging laws and emphasized the growing prevalence of cybercrime.

K Rajender of Adilabad town suggested that the bushes on the RIMS campus be cleared. By implementing comprehensive surveillance, increasing security personnel, and enforcing stricter access controls, this initiative aims to address safety concerns and establish a secure academic environment. This approach not only ensures the safety of the campus community but also underscores a commitment to provide a safe and supportive space for medical education.

Also Read: Install CCTVs, set up 24×7 police posts: Haryana issues advisory for medical colleges