Kolkata doctor rape-murder: A Kolkata court on Tuesday granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) permission to conduct a polygraph test on Anup Dutta, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) with the Kolkata Police, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in a state-run hospital. The CBI is investigating whether Dutta played a role in covering up the crime involving the rape and murder of the trainee doctor. Officials have indicated that Dutta may have extended various favours to the prime suspect, Sanjay Roy. The central agency is examining if Roy disclosed details of the crime to Dutta and if he received any assistance in concealing it.
Earlier in the day, the CBI completed polygraph tests on the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College Sandip Ghosh, the third day of subjecting him to a series of Deception Detection Tests (DDT). He underwent a Layered Voice Analysis test on Saturday, followed by a polygraph test on Monday. The test on Monday could not be completed, so it was resumed on Tuesday, officials said.
What are Layered voice analysis and polygraph tests?
Layered voice analysis is a new DDT in the forensic experts' arsenal. It detects the speaker's reaction to a lie but does not identify a lie. The technology identified stress, cognitive processes, and emotional cues in different voice properties. A polygraph test, also a DDT, can help assess inaccuracies in statements of suspects and witnesses. By monitoring their psychological responses -- heart rate, breathing patterns, sweating, and blood pressure -- investigators can determine if there are discrepancies in their responses. However, these are not admissible evidence during the trial and can only be used to get further leads in a case.
Meanwhile, the BJP has also demanded that the CBI conduct a polygraph test on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Police Commissioner Vineet Goel, who the party alleged had initially said that the victim died by suicide. Earlier on August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14. The CBI has also told the Supreme Court that there was an attempt to cover up the alleged rape and killing of the post-graduate doctor by the local police, as the crime scene was altered by the time the federal agency took over the probe.
Kolkata doctor rape-murder case
It is pertinent here that a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the hospital on August 9. Later, the semi-naked body of the 32-year-old woman was found in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital in Kolkata. A civic volunteer was arrested in connection with the crime the next day. Following this, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe into the case from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
(With inputs from agencies)
