'When did he become fingerprint expert': IMA criticises Kolkata Police's handling of RG Kar doctor's death probe

Protests have erupted in response to the incident, and on August 14, miscreants vandalised parts of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the body was found.

The West Bengal state branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has expressed serious concerns over the actions of Kolkata Police regarding the investigation into the death of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Photos of a crowded seminar room where the body was discovered have gone viral on social media, leading to questions about how so many people were allowed to enter the crime scene and allegations that the scene may have been "altered."

The IMA, in its post on social media, pointed out that Dr. Avik De, whom the police identified as a fingerprint expert at the scene, is a first-year Post Graduate Trainee in the Surgery Department of SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. The Association has questioned how De could be considered a fingerprint expert and highlighted controversies surrounding his admission to the PG course, alleging that false documentation may have been used to secure his spot.

Taking to social media, raising its questions, "Please let us know when the great Dr. Avik De became Finger Print Expert? (As stated by Kolkata Police). As we all know, he is a 1st year Post Graduate Trainee of Surgery Department of SSKM Hospital".

It further observed, "We also know that there are lot of controversies regarding his getting admission in PG course. It is said that though Dr Avik De worked as RMO in Burdwan Medical College, but the then Principal of that College Dr Kaustav Nayek gave him a false Certificate mentioning that he worked in Anamoy Hospital, just to get him Service Quota for PG admission, manipulating all the official papers. And in return without declaring the result of the 1st interview or cancelling the same, Dr Kaustav Nayek was made DME through a 2nd interview, superseeding many other senior & eligible Principals".

The IMA has called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate De's presence at the crime scene, noting that he has no official connection to RG Kar Hospital.

Reacting to these developments, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata Police of attempting to cover up the truth and destroy evidence. He demanded Banerjee's resignation and suggested that she undergo a polygraph test to reveal the truth behind the case.

Taking to microblogging site X, Malviya wrote, "Mamata Banerjee uses Kolkata Police Central DC Indira Mukherjee to peddle the most outrageous lies. She is put on the job, when most compromised of the lot are reluctant......Yesterday, she claimed that the scene of crime or PoC wasn’t compromised. Few hours later, Indian Medical Association, West Bengal chapter, fact-checked Kolkata Police. Several regional channels also discredited Mamata Govt’s claim".

He also added, "The press was called as charges of evidence tampering and manipulation loomed large over WB Govt. Kolkata Police spokesperson suggested that the man in the red T-Shirt was a ‘finger print’ expert......Truth, however is, that he is Dr Avik De, a first year Post Graduate Trainee in the Surgery Department of SSKM, a WB Govt hospital in Mamata Banerjee’s constituency of Bhabanipur".

Mamata Banerjee uses Kolkata Police Central DC Indira Mukherjee to peddle the most outrageous lies. She is put on the job, when most compromised of the lot are reluctant.Yesterday, she claimed that the scene of crime or PoC wasnt compromised. Few hours later, Indian Medical https://t.co/DTT72qUxqHpic.twitter.com/IKQXKhYG49

Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 31, 2024

The Kolkata Police, however, have denied any wrongdoing. DCP Central Indira Mukherjee stated that the crime scene was not compromised and that all individuals seen in the viral photos were authorised personnel involved in the investigation. The police assured that no evidence was lost during the investigation process.

During a press briefing on Friday, Mukherjee stated, "We are talking about the photo in question. The area is cordoned off. Behind the cordon is the body. I can tell you the names of all the people who are in the picture. They were all part of the investigation team. At no point in time could anybody enter this area who was not authorised. Nobody entered who was not associated with the investigation process".

The case involves the alleged rape and murder of the trainee doctor, whose body was found in the seminar hall on August 9. The prime suspect, Sanjay Roy, was arrested the following day. Protests have erupted in response to the incident, and on August 14, miscreants vandalised parts of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the body was found.