CBI interrogates ex-director for 23 hours in Calcutta doctor's murder case amid fresh conspiracy allegations

Calcutta: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its investigation into the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The CBI's investigation has reached a critical point as the hospital's former director, Sandip Ghoshand had to undergo a marathon interrogation that has so far lasted over 23 hours.

The questioning began on Friday afternoon and continued till Saturday, with only a brief break when Ghosh was allowed to go home at 2.30 am. This extended interrogation is reportedly the longest conducted by the CBI in Bengal in recent years. Ghosh returned to the CBI's CGO Complex office on Saturday with several files.

Before re-entering the probe agency's office, a visibly exhausted Ghosh addressed the media and said, “The CBI has not arrested me… Please do not spread false information. I was not forced to sit face to face with Sanjay (prime accused Sanjay Roy). They interrogated me. The matter is under investigation and I cannot say anything further at this stage.”

Sources within the investigation team revealed that Ghosh has been subjected to a barrage of questions, particularly about when he came to know about the doctor's death, who informed him and what steps he took after receiving the news. Ghosh has always maintained that he had nothing to do with the doctor's death.

The CBI's special cell is meticulously reconstructing the sequence of events that led to the doctor's murder. On Friday, seven hospital staff members, including nurses, ward boys and security guards, were questioned about what they were initially told about the doctor's death. Investigators are particularly focused on exposing the suicide theory that was initially floated by the hospital.

Besides Ghosh, the CBI has also questioned his former colleagues, including Arunava Dutta Chowdhury, head of the pulmonary department, and former superintendent Sanjay Vashisth. The statements of more than 32 witnesses have been recorded so far and a close friend of the victim also appeared before the investigators on Saturday.

The investigation took a crucial turn on Thursday when the victim's parents, during their interaction with the CBI, expressed their belief that Sanjay Roy, who was arrested in connection with the case, may not be the main culprit. They claimed that Roy acted on the instructions of others and insisted that their daughter was the victim of gang rape. The parents also accused the hospital administration of trying to cover up the crime and initially suggested that their daughter's death was suicide.

The CBI continues to investigate these allegations with an aim to uncover the whole truth behind the horrific incident that has shocked the nation.