Kolkata court criticises CBI for casual approach in seeking custody extension of RG Kar Principal
Kolkata: A city court on Monday reprimanded the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for being “too casual” in filing applications to extend the judicial custody of Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and Abhijit Mondal, Tala police station SHO, who are accused in the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor on August 9.
The CBI requested an extension of custody citing “new and crucial facts” obtained from data extracted from DVRs, hard drives, and mobile phones, including CCTV footage from the Tala police station. However, the two accused challenged the application, asserting that the agency had not yet questioned them adequately.
Mondal’s advocate Ayan Bhattacharya contended that despite being in judicial custody for several days, his client had not been interrogated “even for a single minute,” arguing that the CBI's plea was only an attempt to delay bail. Similarly, Ghosh’s lawyer Zohaib Rauf questioned the relevance of the data, pointing out that his client was the principal of the hospital and had no connection with the police station.
After hearing the arguments, the judge denied the CBI's request and ordered that the accused remain in judicial custody until October 4. The court stated that the CBI should re approach if the accused "did not cooperate" during the interrogation.
The CBI had earlier arrested Mondal and added charges of evidence tampering against Ghosh, who was initially taken into custody on September 2 for alleged financial irregularities at the RG Kar hospital.
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CEC orders immediate arrest of those involved in post-poll violence in Bengal: Official
Kolkata (PTI): Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar directed the authorities concerned to immediately arrest those involved in post-poll violence and vandalism in West Bengal, an official said on Wednesday.
The Election Commission's directive came after two persons were killed in alleged incidents of post-poll violence in the state on Tuesday, besides scores of party offices being ransacked.
The CEC issued instructions to the West Bengal chief secretary, director general of police, Kolkata police commissioner and directors general of central armed police forces, along with all district magistrates, superintendents of police and other officials, to maintain continuous patrolling in sensitive areas, he said.
"Those responsible for inciting violence and carrying out acts of vandalism must be arrested immediately," the official said, quoting the CEC's instruction.
The chief election commissioner also stressed the need for swift and firm enforcement of the law, he added.
This directive came amid concerns over law and order in parts of the state, with the Election Commission closely monitoring the situation, he added.
"We have been asked to remain on high alert and ensure that any attempt to disturb peace is dealt with firmly," a senior police officer said.
The state authorities have intensified vigil across districts, with coordinated efforts between the police and central forces to prevent any untoward incident, he added.
The assembly elections were held in West Bengal in two phases - April 23 and 29. The counting of votes took place on May 4.
The BJP sealed a landslide victory with 207 seats in the 294-member assembly, ending the TMC's uninterrupted 15-year rule in the state.
