Kolkata rape-murder case: Sandip Ghosh ordered renovation near crime scene one day after doctor’s death, says report

The former principal of RG Kar Medical College, Dr Sandip Ghosh, reportedly ordered renovations near the seminar room of the RG Kar Medical College just a day after the body of a 31-year-old trainee doctor was found there. Dr Sandip Ghosh asked for the renovation in a letter dated August 10.

India Today shared the from August 10, 2014, in which Dr Sandip Ghosh, the ex-principal, asked for “repair/renovation/reconstruction of on duty Doctors' Rooms along with separate attached toilets in all departments of RGKMC&H, Kolkata on urgent basis.”

The purported letter read, “I would like to inform you that there are deficiency of on duty Doctors' Room and separate attached toilets in various department of RGKMC&H, Kolkata [sic].”

Mint could not independently verify the authenticity of the letter.

The timing of the renovation request has raised concerns. The trainee doctor's body was found in the seminar room of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The incident has triggered nationwide outrage.

Soon after the case came to light, reports emerged about “renovation” being done near the area where the resident doctor was allegedly raped and murdered. Left-wing groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused authorities at the RG Kar hospital of attempting to tamper with evidence related to the Kolkata rape and murder case under the guise of renovation.

Kolkata Police have arrested a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh for alleged financial misconduct at the establishment. The CBI also conducted a polygraph test or lie-detector test on the two accused.

The CBI had earlier submitted a status report on the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case before the Supreme Court, claiming the crime scene was altered.