In a disturbing twist to the ongoing investigation into the murder and rape of a medical student at R.G. Kar Medical College, new evidence has surfaced, revealing that the victim was being extorted for ₹15 lakh. According to sources within the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the demand for the money was related to securing permission to submit her research paper and to clear her final exams. The refusal to pay may have led to a sustained campaign of harassment, culminating in her tragic death.
Extortion Demand and Harassment
The CBI has uncovered that the victim, a medical student and doctor-in-training, was repeatedly harassed over the course of a year for not agreeing to pay the demanded amount. The ₹15 lakh was reportedly split into two parts: a portion for permission to submit her thesis and the rest as a “fee” for passing her final examination.
When the victim resisted the demand, she allegedly faced continuous harassment during her hospital duties. Investigators claim that she had confided in close friends about her discomfort and apprehension regarding her work environment. The victim had even threatened to escalate the matter to higher authorities, making her situation even more precarious.
The Night of the Incident
CBI officers believe that the events of the fateful night were centered around the burn unit on the second floor of the emergency building, extending up to the general medicine department on the sixth floor. Surveillance footage and witness testimonies suggest that the victim was seen moving between the fourth and sixth floors multiple times after midnight.
On the night of the incident, around 11 PM, a lower-level hospital employee claimed to have seen the victim heading towards the upper floors from the emergency ward. Another employee reported seeing Sanjay, one of the suspects, near the seminar room on the fourth floor around the same time. While surveillance footage does capture Sanjay’s presence on the fourth floor, no one has corroborated that he entered the seminar room.
Conflicting Testimonies
Conflicting statements have emerged from hospital staff. A nurse from the fifth-floor orthopedic department claims to have seen the victim around 3:30 AM in a disoriented state. Another source indicates that she was later taken to the seminar room after reportedly falling ill. However, no witnesses have confirmed seeing anyone escorting her to the seminar room.
Adding to the mystery, an emergency lift, usually used by medical staff during the day, was reportedly activated that night for an unidentified emergency patient. Investigators are questioning whether the lift was used to transport the victim, raising more questions about her condition and the circumstances leading to her death.
CBI Struggles with Evidence
Despite gathering a plethora of evidence, including testimonies from over 350 individuals and footage from several CCTV cameras, the CBI is struggling to piece together a coherent narrative of the events leading to the victim’s death. The presence of multiple conflicting accounts and gaps in the timeline have hindered the reconstruction of that night’s events.
Investigators are also analyzing data from mobile phones, including damning information about the extortion from a phone belonging to one of the victim’s peers. Additionally, the CBI is focusing on a “sleep room” on the fourth floor, often used by postgraduate and intern doctors for rest. This room, curiously locked shortly after 3:30 AM, has emerged as a potential location of significance in the investigation.
Next Steps in the Investigation
As investigators continue to piece together the events of that night, they are zeroing in on gathering court-admissible evidence. According to one CBI officer, “The allegations are extremely serious, and we need undeniable proof before taking concrete action.”
The investigation is still ongoing, and the CBI is working relentlessly to uncover the truth behind the brutal murder and rape. The hospital’s higher authorities, the involvement of potential suspects, and the extortion demand all point to a larger, more complex conspiracy that the CBI is determined to unravel.
As new evidence continues to emerge, the case of the young doctor’s murder and rape has shocked the nation, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by young professionals in demanding environments. The authorities are under pressure to deliver justice for the victim and bring the culprits to account.