In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has mandated the transfer of a rape investigation involving a civil servant’s wife to a deputy commissioner-level officer at the Kolkata Police headquarters. The decision, handed down by Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj on Friday, also includes the cancellation of the previously granted bail to the accused, reflecting the court’s dissatisfaction with the handling of the case.
The victim, who is employed in a managerial position at a private firm, alleges she was raped twice in a span of seven hours at her home on the night of July 14 and the morning of July 15. Despite these severe charges, the accused was initially charged with the lesser offence of outraging modesty and was swiftly granted bail by a lower court.
Justice Bharadwaj’s ruling not only revokes the bail of the accused but also cancels the anticipatory bail that was issued by the Alipore sessions judge on September 10. The High Court’s directive also calls for immediate disciplinary action against several police officials for apparent negligence in investigating the serious accusations brought forth by the victim.
The case, previously managed by a lower-level officer, exhibited significant procedural lapses. According to the victim, there was a delay in conducting a medical examination, and her complaint at the Lake police station was allegedly met with intimidation and coercion by the accused’s family, who were purportedly brought to the station by police personnel.
Adding to the complexity, the state’s attorney highlighted discrepancies between the victim’s initial account of the events sent via WhatsApp and her subsequent formal statements, which led to a requirement for a signed written complaint.
The case will now be overseen by the deputy commissioner of women police, who has been tasked with a comprehensive review and continuation of the investigation. This move signifies a step towards ensuring a thorough and unbiased inquiry into the matter, as the court has emphasized the necessity of a meticulous examination of all available evidence, including CCTV footage from the Lake police station, which has yet to be scrutinized.
