RG Kar tragedy: Statement of forensic pathologist who took photographs of victim’s body crucial for CBI

Kolkata, Dec 12 (IANS): The statement of a certain doctor of the forensic team who conducted the post-mortem on the body of the lady junior doctor of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital — who was raped and murdered on its premises in August — and who took some photographs of the victim’s body before of the post-mortem, it has become crucial for the CBI to try to ascertain whether evidence in the case was tampered with.

Sources aware of the development said that this doctor’s statement was particularly crucial because investigating officials must know that this doctor strongly opposed the initial attempt by other members of the forensic team to pass off the tragedy as a case of suicide.

Besides raising objections, the doctor also took some pictures of the victim’s dead body on this mobile phone. Investigating officials have already examined these pictures and sent them for forensic examination as well.

Investigating officials, the sources added, strongly believe that the actions initiated by that particular forensic team doctor prevented the tragedy from being ruled a suicide.

The CBI is already probing former and controversial director of RG Kar Sandip Ghosh and former SHO of Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal on charges of misleading the investigation and tampering with evidence while the initial investigation was being conducted by the Kolkata Police .

Meanwhile, lawyer Vrinda Grover, who along with her team had represented the victim’s family in the Supreme Court of India, the Calcutta High Court and the trial court on Wednesday, announced her decision to withdraw from further presentation in the case.

In a statement issued by the Chambers of Vrinda Grover, certain “intervening factors and circumstances” were cited as reasons for the decision. This is the second time that the counsel for the victim’s family has been changed.

Initially, Calcutta High Court senior advocate and CPI-M Rajya Sabha member Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya represented the victim’s family.