Forensic twist to Kolkata assault

Was the Kar hospital seminar room not the crime scene?

- Aritra Singha

The RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case has taken a dramatic turn, raising more questions about the investigation and its failure to unravel the facts; rather, it has added to the layers of mystery. The fresh questions stem from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory report which has stated that no "evidence of struggle or rape" was found in the seminar room where the junior medical student's body was discovered on August 9.

This revelation adds to the growing suspicion that the actual crime scene might be elsewhere.

CFSL, a forensic wing under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, examined the hospital premises on August 14. Samples were collected from the alleged crime scene, including the wooden stage mattress in the seminar hall where the trainee doctor was reportedly assaulted. In its detailed report, CFSL noted: "The cut mark portions observed on this mattress were reasonably corresponding to the head and lower abdomen" area of an injured victim who stated or happens to be lying on this mattress. However, the evidence of a possible struggle shown by the victim with the assailant or fight in between them was found missing in the shown area of occurrence, i.e., the wooden stage mattress and the adjoining area inside the seminar hall.”