Contaminated DNA Sample — More than a year after the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor on the RG Kar Medical College campus, her grieving parents continue their fight for clarity and justice. A new forensic controversy has sparked deeper suspicion: a female DNA sample that appeared in evidence collected from the victim is now being labeled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as “contaminated.”
The revelation has re-opened questions about the scope, sincerity, and direction of the probe, with the victim’s parents urging the Calcutta High Court to challenge the conclusions drawn so far.
The DNA Discrepancy
According to forensic reports examined by both the CBI and the victim’s legal team, swabs collected during the autopsy revealed the presence of DNA from a second woman—an anomaly, considering the context of the case. The CBI claims this additional DNA resulted from accidental contamination during the autopsy.
In its affidavit to the Calcutta High Court, the CBI argued that the female DNA likely originated from either a doctor or assistant present during the post-mortem procedure. Citing lapses in sterilization protocols—like the use of unwashed instruments, unsterilized scissors, and unchanged gloves—the CBI stated that these oversights were responsible for the compromised evidence.
However, the parents are unconvinced. To them, the presence of another woman’s DNA is not merely an error but a potential sign of suppressed evidence or an unaccounted-for person at the crime scene.
CBI’s Explanation vs. Parents’ Demands
The CBI’s explanation has done little to ease the grief and doubt of the victim’s family. Their lawyer, supported by forensic experts, has argued that the presence of third-party DNA cannot be brushed aside as routine contamination—particularly in a high-profile case where every detail matters.
Adding to their concern is the fact that the room where the incident occurred, located in the seventh-floor orthopedic department, was sealed shortly after the crime and remains largely unexplored. Staff members have testified that objects and evidence were present inside, yet the room has reportedly never been opened since the day of the murder.
The family has urged the High Court to direct the CBI to re-examine this sealed room and carry out a full forensic sweep.
Contaminated DNA Sample: Key Unresolved Issues
Beyond the DNA confusion, several pressing questions remain:
- Unexplained Injuries on the Accused: The lone accused, a civic volunteer, was found with five injuries, suggesting a possible struggle. Yet, no corresponding signs of struggle were detected at the crime scene.
- CCTV Surveillance Footage: Reports mention that 68 individuals were seen around the area during the estimated time of the crime. According to the victim’s parents, most of these individuals have not been questioned by the investigating agency.
- Absence of a Supplementary Chargesheet: Despite over a year having passed since the arrest of the accused, no supplementary chargesheet has been filed to expand or validate the prosecution’s version.
These factors combined have led the victim’s family and several public interest lawyers to question the integrity of the investigation and the efficiency of the CBI.
Calcutta High Court Intervention
The Calcutta High Court has asked the victim’s parents to respond to the CBI’s affidavit. Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, who is monitoring the proceedings, stated that while the CBI’s response focuses on expert opinion, the court would allow a counter-affidavit from the family’s side to explore the issues further.
The family’s legal team is expected to submit its reply in the coming weeks, pressing for accountability on forensic protocols and the investigation’s apparent blind spots.
Protests and Public Outcry
On the first anniversary of the junior doctor’s death, torchlight rallies returned to the streets of Kolkata. The protest began at College Square and ended at Shyambazar, attended by hundreds of students, doctors, and activists. The victim’s parents joined the rally around midnight, holding posters that read “CBI, grow a spine or resign.”
Cultural performances, sit-ins, and overnight vigils turned the event into a poignant moment of resistance, demanding not just justice for one victim but systemic reform in how such crimes are investigated and handled.
Wider Implications
The DNA controversy and the delayed justice in this case have broader implications for India’s legal and investigative systems. It raises questions about:
- The reliability of forensic processes in criminal investigations.
- The standard operating procedures in government medical institutions.
- The credibility of elite investigative agencies under pressure.
This case has become a litmus test for public trust in institutional justice.
External References and Sources
- Forensic Protocols and Autopsy Guidelines – National Medical Journal of India
- Legal standards for DNA evidence in India – Indian Journal of Medical Ethics
- CBI case updates via official portal
- Overview of the 2024 RG Kar case – Wikipedia
- News coverage from Hindustan Times
- Maktoob Media Report on RG Kar Anniversary
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