'Should I Grant Bail To Kolkata Rape Accused?' Court On CBI Lawyer's Absence

The Trinamool Congress said the developments in the court pointed to attempts at "sabotaging justice".

The absence of the CBI's investigating officer in the rape and murder of the trainee doctor in Kolkata and a 40-minute delay in the arrival of the agency's lawyer prompted an angry court in the city to wonder if it should grant bail to the main accused. The court also pulled up the agency and said this reflected a "lethargic attitude" on its part.

The developments in court also prompted an attack on the CBI and the BJP from the Trinamool Congress, which has been under fire over its handling of the horrific crime, with the party alleging that attempts are being made to "sabotage justice". The investigation had been transferred to the agency from the Kolkata Police on the directions of the Calcutta High Court.

Hearing the bail petition of Sanjay Roy - a civic volunteer who has been arrested for raping and killing the trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital - on Friday afternoon, a magistrate at the Sealdah court noted that the CBI's investigating officer was not present for the hearing.