Kolkata doctor murder: CBI lawyer late for hearing by 50 mins, angry court asks, 'Shall I grant bail to accused'
Kolkata doctor murder: A Sealdah court on Friday slammed CBI after probe agency's investigating officer and lawyer failed to appear at the hearing of Sanjay Roy, the prime suspect in the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The CBI lawyer reportedly reached the court 50 minutes late and opposed Sanjay Roy's bail plea, claiming it would hamper the probe.
According to The Indian Express, the court emphasised the gravity of the situation and the need for the CBI to take more prompt action.
According to India Today, additional chief judicial magistrate Pamela Gupta was so angry by the investigating officer's absence and the prosecutor's delay that she asked, "Should I grant bail to Sanjay Roy?" "CBI appears to be taking a very laid-back approach. It is extremely unfortunate," the magistrate added.
"If the lawyer isn't present, he (Sanjay Roy) should be granted bail," Pamela Gupta said after being informed by a CBI officer at 4:10 pm that the public prosecutor was running late.
As the delay continued and lawyer Dipak Poria had yet to arrive, the magistrate directed the CBI officer to contact him. "It is 4:20 now. This is extremely unfortunate," she said.
The officer, who identified herself as an assistant investigating officer, left the courtroom to make the call and returned 15 minutes later, stating that Dipak Poria was on his way, the report said.
When Poria arrived at 5:00 p.m., defence lawyer Kavita Sarkar asked why the CBI was not represented by the counsel who had attended the previous hearing on August 23. Dipak Poria responded that he was the probe agency's full-time lawyer and briefly opposed Sanjay Roy's bail, without providing specific reasons.
During the hearing, the court rejected Sanjay Roy's bail plea. The court also remanded the accused to 14 days in judicial custody. Sanjay Roy will remain in judicial custody until September 20 under the supervision of the CBI.
According to India Today, Kavita Sarkar argued for Sanjay Roy's bail, citing his lack of a criminal record and the fact that the CBI had yet to present any evidence against him.
Trinamool Congress attacks CBI
In response to the development, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale claimed that the CBI wanted Sanjay Roy on bail.
“CBI wants to get the rape & murder accused monster RELEASED on bail. An active effort is being made by CBI, BJP, & the Modi Govt to run a political agenda and BURY this case. How can CBI allow this monster to get bail? What is the sinister agenda that is being played out? Why was CBI ABSENT in court today?” Saket Gokhale posted on X. The TMC MP described it as a "shocking development" and stated, "The CBI must answer under whose pressure is this heinous crime being buried."
- With inputs from agencies
