The man arrested for raping and murdering a doctor inside a Kolkata hospital returned to his residence to sleep and did laundry the next morning to destroy evidence, a police officer investigating the case said.
However, the police found blood stains on the shoes of the accused, a citizen volunteer who was not associated with RG Kar Medical College and Hospital but frequented the place.
The body of a female graduate student who was allegedly raped and murdered in a hospital seminar hall was found on Friday morning. The citizen volunteer was arrested on Saturday.
Protests by junior doctors continued for the third consecutive day on Sunday, demanding swift punishment for those responsible for the crime, affecting services at government hospitals across West Bengal.
On Sunday, city police chief Vineet Goyal visited the health facility for the second time in three days and held a meeting with representatives of agitated junior doctors.
He claimed the investigation was “transparent” and urged people not to spread rumors.
“After committing the crime, the defendant returned to his residence and slept until early Friday morning. After waking up, he washed the clothes he wore when committing the crime and destroyed evidence. During the search, his shoes were found with blood stains on them.
Asked if anyone else was involved in the crimes alleged by some, he said, “There is no evidence of that yet.” The officer said police were awaiting the final autopsy report as they hoped to bring it to light match the survey results.
Preliminary autopsy reports said the victim had bleeding from his eyes, mouth and private parts. She also suffered injuries to her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger and lip.
Another police officer said circumstantial evidence also suggested the doctor might have been murdered and then raped.
“We are also speaking to officers who were on duty from Thursday night to the next morning. CCTV footage is also being checked,” the officer said.
Police sources said a team of SIT police officers along with the forensic team collected samples from the seminar hall of the hospital on Sunday.
The police officer said the crime scene was reconstructed even though the arrested accused was not present.
“One of our senior officers has handed over the autopsy report to the late doctor's parents today. We had a fruitful meeting with the students and we find them satisfied. As per their request, we have replaced one of the posted Assistant police officer here,” the police chief said.
Goyal said the police had no intention of hiding anyone and the investigation process was transparent.
IPS officials said they would soon launch a toll-free number for people to lodge suggestions or complaints.
However, agitated junior doctors said they would continue to demonstrate until they were fully “satisfied” and their safety and security demands were met.
A junior doctor, after meeting Goyal, said the shutdown of all emergency and non-emergency services will continue, but only so far.
Junior doctors, resident staff and postgraduate trainees (PGTs) of various public hospitals have also requested for the safety of medical institutions and have stopped working from Friday evening. “The government must take significant steps to bring justice to the victims. This incident not only reflects a systemic failure at the hospital level, but also points to wider social issues that require immediate and focused attention.
Following the riots, the state health department on Sunday canceled leave and leave for all senior doctors to resolve the impasse.
Support for the rioting doctors came from across the country.
The Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations of India (FORDA) has backed the ongoing strike and has called for a halt to elective services in hospitals across the country on Monday.
FORDA has informed the Federal Ministry of Health of its decision.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to seek the death penalty against the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police deployed a huge team at the hospital on Sunday.
“No one will be allowed to enter hospital premises without proper identification. We will ensure the complete safety of health workers in healthcare facilities.
Another official said the hospital authorities evicted two security guards employed on contract for the emergency room as they did not perform their duties properly, which to some extent led to the crime against the doctor.
(This report has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
