Ex-TMC MLA among 3 named by RG Kar victim's family in fresh court plea

The parents of the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder victim have moved a court in Kolkata seeking the arrest and custodial interrogation of three individuals, alleging they played a key role in the hurried cremation of their daughter’s body and possible destruction of evidence.

In a fresh application before the Sealdah court, the family named former Panihati MLA Nirmal Ghosh, Somnath Das and local TMC functionary Sanjib Mukhopadhyay. The victim’s parents alleged that the trio had effectively “hijacked” the body from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after the incident and rushed the cremation process.

According to the plea, there were attempts to prevent a second post-mortem examination and the family was allegedly not provided all necessary documents before the cremation took place. The family’s lawyer argued in court that the conduct of the accused individuals immediately after the crime raised suspicion and warranted custodial interrogation.

During the hearing, counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation told the court that the agency could not be directed on whom to arrest, but agreed to file a formal response in the matter. The agency has sought time until June 5 to submit its report.

The development came on the same day a division bench of the Calcutta High Court headed by Justice Rajasekhar Mantha recused itself from hearing matters related to the RG Kar case after the CBI submitted a sealed report before the court. Justice Mantha observed that a state judicial commission was likely to be formed in connection with the matter and said there was no immediate need for the bench to continue hearing the case. The matter has now been referred back to the Chief Justice for reassignment.

Meanwhile, the Joint Platform of Doctors West Bengal, has written to the state chief secretary of the state expressing concern that crucial files and evidence linked to alleged irregularities in the state health department could be destroyed. The organisation demanded immediate preservation of records, citing allegations of corruption in appointments, procurement and infrastructure projects across the health sector.

The date of the next hearing is fixed for 5th June.

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