Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has replaced the investigating officer in the 2024 Kolkata rape-murder case involving the death of a young woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and constituted a fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT) to continue the probe.
The central probe agency informed the Sealdah court that it has appointed Sandipani Garg as the new investigating officer (IO), replacing Seema Pahuja, who had been heading the investigation since the case was handed over to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation).
The newly constituted SIT also submitted a three-page status report before the court and sought additional time to examine the voluminous case records.
A senior CBI official, on condition of anonymity, said the agency was carrying out a comprehensive review of the investigation.
"The new team has begun examining all records and evidence collected so far. Every aspect of the investigation is being reviewed objectively, and all necessary steps will be taken in accordance with the law. The agency is committed to conducting a fair, impartial and thorough investigation," the official told PTI.
The change in the IO comes amid criticism from the victim's family over the pace and direction of the probe. The family had on several occasions expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation conducted under the previous IO, alleging that certain leads had not been adequately pursued.
Incidentally, the new investigating officer met the victim's mother and current BJP MLA Ratna Debnath on the court premises and assured her that the investigation would be conducted diligently, urging the family to have faith in the process.
The reconstituted SIT is headed by CBI Joint Director Anurag Kumar and includes Manish Upadhyay, who is also probing the alleged financial irregularities linked to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Sources in the agency said that the CBI told the court that it was scrutinising around "1,000 pages of case records" and had recorded fresh statements of the victim's parents. It also submitted that the newly formed team would require additional time to complete its review before taking further investigative steps.
The counsel appearing for the victim's family urged the court to ensure that the new team examines all aspects that were flagged earlier, including the role of certain individuals from the time the victim's body was recovered until the cremation, and takes appropriate action based on its findings.
The victim's mother also told the court that the role of those who were among the last to be seen with her daughter should be thoroughly investigated.
The mother also said she had faith that the ongoing investigation would ensure justice for her daughter.
The rape and murder of a 31-year-old woman doctor, which occurred at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024, had sparked nationwide outrage and prolonged protests.