'Shall I grant bail?' Kolkata court rebukes CBI over lawyer's absence in Sanjay Roy's bail hearing
Sanjay Roy
A Kolkata court on Friday rebuked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the officer in charge of investigating the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor failed to attend an important hearing of Sanjay Roy, the main suspect in the case at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Judge Pamela Gupta voiced her frustration when both the CBI’s investigating officer and public prosecutor (PP) did not show up on time, causing a delay in the proceedings. The judge even questioned whether Roy, the accused, should be granted bail due to the CBI’s unpunctuality, asking, “Where are the PP and IO? Should I grant bail?”
She further added, “This reflects a severely lethargic attitude on the part of the CBI. It is very unfortunate.”
Dipak Poria, the CBI lawyer, reportedly arrived nearly an hour late and briefly argued against granting bail, saying that Roy’s release could hinder the ongoing investigation.
The court refused to grant bail to Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, who was taken into custody on August 10. The court ordered Roy to remain in judicial custody for 14 more days, with his next court appearance set for September 20, during which the CBI will continue to oversee the case.
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Trinamool Congress Reacts
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) criticised the delay, raising concerns about the CBI’s handling of such a sensitive case. TMC MP Saket Gokhale accused the CBI of trying to help Roy secure bail, suggesting that there might be a political motive behind it.
Gokhale took to social media platform X, saying, “CBI wants to get the rape and murder accused monster RELEASED on bail. An active effort is being made by the CBI, BJP, and the Modi Govt to run a political agenda and BURY this case. How can the CBI allow this monster to get bail? What is the sinister agenda that is being played out? Why was CBI ABSENT in court today?”
The body of the trainee doctor, bearing severe injuries, was discovered in the seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department on August 9. Sanjay Roy was arrested by the Kolkata Police the next day in connection with the crime.
(With inputs from agencies)