Kolkata rape-murder: Sandip Ghosh had 'frequent, long' phone calls with station officer Abhijit Mondal

The CBI is mulling a joint interrogation of R G Kar former principal Sandip Ghosh and Tala police station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal, in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College Hospital. The CBI arrested the duo last week for tampering with evidence and delaying the registration of the FIR. 

While Sandeep was interrogated for almost 200 hours in 14 rounds, the CBI quizzed Abhijit for almost 40 hours in eight rounds. The investigators had told the court that there could be a bigger conspiracy and that both Ghosh and Mondal had played some "vital roles" in this crime. 

The two were in constant touch with each other with Ghosh instructing Mondal on how to proceed with the rape-murder case. On the day the body of the doctor was found, Ghosh repeatedly contacted Mondal on his mobile, Anand Baazar Patrika quoted sources.

The duo had long and frequent telephone conversations till August 14 and tower locations hint that both had also met. Mondal reportedly travelled regularly to R G Kar Hospital.

While the body of the doctor was found at 10 am, the FIR was registered only at 11 pm. The CBI claims both tried to downplay the incident and Mondal tried to cover up for the flaws of Ghosh and his administration. 

The CBI officials also claim that Mondal was the first to arrive at the scene on the day the body of the victim was discovered. Soon the seminar hall became crowded and Mondal, who had the responsibility to protect the place, did not do so resulting in a loss of evidence. 

Investigators believe that virtually all evidence from the murder and rape scene has been destroyed. The CBI is also probing the role of Mondal in collecting the CCTV footage. While only one CCTV footage was recovered, it was hazy. Mondal also allegedly tried to hasten the cremation of the victim and discouraged the demand for a second autopsy. 

The CBI investigation also revealed that Mondal began to have long phone conversations with Ghosh after the investigation began.

"Sandip Ghosh's statement was recorded by the SIT investigating officers four days after the incident. But the 'call details' of Sandeep's mobile phone were not checked. Nothing was probed deeply," a CBI official told Anand Bazaar Patrika.