'When Did He Become Fingerprint Expert': Police Clarification On RG Kar Crime Scene Video Draws IMA Objection

The West Bengal state branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has raised concerns over the response of Kolkata Police in connection with the pictures of the crowded seminar room of metropolitan’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where a body of a 31-year-old trainee doctor was found on August 9. The pictures showing several individuals present inside the seminar hall went viral on the social media. Several questions were raised as to how so many people were allowed to enter the crime scene. Besides this, it was alleged that the crime scene was “altered”.

The doctor’s association has also pointed out that the person whom police have identified as finger print expert is Dr Avik De, who is a first-year Post Graduate Trainee of Surgery Department of Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (SSKM) Hospital in Kolkata.

Read More: RG Kar Hospital Crime Scene Compromised? Kolkata Police Clarify After Row Over Viral Photo

In a social media post, the medical body said, “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.”

It further alleged that the admission of Dr De in a PG course has been under the cloud of suspicion.

“We also know that there are lot of controversies regarding his getting admission in PG course. It is said that though Dr Avik De worked as 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,” it added.

The IMA urged the CBI to take cognisance of the matter and over enquire as what he was doing at the crime scene as he does not belong to RG Kar hospital.

DC Central Madam/ Central Bureau of Investigation – CBI must reidentify this red shirted Dr Avik De & enquire being none of RG Kar what he was doing in the crime scene (seminar hall). Moreover, later on he was also seen standing behind DME during his press briefing.

BJP’s allegation

Reacting to the police’s response and alleging that the crime scene was destroyed, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya said that Mamata Banerjee uses Kolkata Police to peddle the lies. He also demanded for Mamata’s resignation and her polygraph test to get to know the truth surrounding the case.

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In a post on X, he wrote, “Mamata Banerjee uses Kolkata Police Central DC Indira Mukherjee to peddle the most outrageous lies. She is put on the job, when most compromised of the lot are reluctant.”

“Yesterday, she claimed that the scene of crime or PoC wasn’t compromised. Few hours later, Indian Medical Association, West Bengal chapter, fact-checked Kolkata Police. Several regional channels also discredited Mamata Govt’s claim,” he added.

“The questions are: what is Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata Police trying to hide? who are they trying to protect? Unless, Mamata Banerjee resigns and subjects herself to polygraph test, truth of the criminal syndicate, that raped and killed the young lady doctor at RG Kar MCH won’t come out,” he added.

Police’s clarification

Responding to the allegations over the viral pictures, the Kolkata Police had on Friday asserted that the crime scene was “not compromised”. It clarified that all individuals seen in the photograph were fully authorised to be there and have been identified.

“We are talking about the photo in question. The area is cordoned off. Behind the cordon is the body. I can tell you the names of all the people who are in the picture. They were all part of the investigation team. At no point in time could anybody enter this area who was not authorised. Nobody entered who was not associated with the investigation process,” Indira Mukherjee, DCP Central, Kolkata Police said during a press briefing on Friday.

“There is also another picture and a new set of people. We have the witness doctor, FSL, fingerprint expert, the ACP of the detective department, the videographer, additional CP-1 and the forensic officials. This picture or the video is of the time when the inquest process was over. At no point in time could anybody enter this area who was not authorized. Nobody entered who was not associated with the investigation process,” she added.

The police further informed that no evidence was lost during the investigation.

What is the case?

The case pertains to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 while she was resting at a seminar hall after completing her duties.

The prime accused, Sanjay Roy, was arrested a day later.

Amid the ongoing protests, some miscreants entered the premises of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 14 and vandalised portions of the medical facility, where the body of the victim was found.

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On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The case brought the functioning of RG Kar Hospital under scrutiny, leading to the ouster of its principal, and triggered massive protests by the medical fraternity’s students and the civil society.