CBI investigates deleted evidence in RG Kar case: Hard disks and call records under scrutiny

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is intensifying its investigation into the RG Kar case, focusing on significant evidence that has allegedly been tampered with. Investigators have discovered strong indications that critical communications were deleted between Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Hospital, and Abhijit Mandal, the former officer-in-charge of Tala police station, on August 9, the day the victim's body was recovered. This deletion is suspected to have been intentional, aiming to obstruct the investigation.

The CBI seized four hard disks from RG Kar Hospital, which have now been dispatched to a central forensic laboratory in Chandigarh for detailed examination. These hard disks are believed to contain crucial data related to financial corruption within the hospital system, as well as potential evidence of misconduct surrounding the rape and murder of a medical student. However, reports indicate that multiple pieces of information, including documents and communication records, have been deleted from these disks.

Alongside the hard disks, the CBI suspects that CCTV footage from the seminar hall and surrounding areas of the hospital on the night of August 9 may also have been erased. This footage could hold vital clues regarding the timeline of events and the activities of individuals involved in the case. The central investigative agency is actively working to recover this information, which could play a significant role in the ongoing investigation.

Further complicating the case, sources within the CBI have indicated that conversations between Ghosh and Mandal were recorded due to the "auto-call recording" feature on their mobile devices. However, these recordings were deliberately deleted, leading investigators to believe that recovering this data will be pivotal in building a solid case against both individuals. The CBI aims to trace the deleted recordings of calls made between Ghosh and Mandal from the morning of August 9 until the last rites of the victim, which took place that night.

The main charges against Ghosh and Mandal involve misleading the preliminary investigation conducted by the Kolkata Police prior to the case being handed over to the CBI. Both individuals are also accused of tampering with evidence after the victim's body was recovered. The CBI has noted that there are discrepancies in the information provided by Ghosh and Mandal, raising further suspicion about their actions during the critical time surrounding the incident.

In a recent development, Mandal has refused to consent to a polygraph test, prompting the CBI to approach a special court in Kolkata for permission to proceed with the test. Conversely, Ghosh has declined a narco-analysis test, despite previously consenting to a polygraph examination. These refusals have drawn additional scrutiny from investigators, who view them as potential indicators of evasiveness.

Currently, both Ghosh and Mandal are under investigation for various allegations, including financial irregularities, drug trafficking, and medical waste corruption. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are examining their roles in these matters, with Ghosh already facing arrest in connection with one of the cases. As the investigation unfolds, officials remain focused on recovering deleted data from the hard disks and call records, which could lead to crucial insights and possibly implicate others involved in the RG Kar case.