Kolkata: The statement of a renowned psychologist, whom the RG Kar rape and murder victim had contacted for counselling a couple of months before her tragic death in August last year, could play a crucial role in the ongoing investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The psychologist voluntarily reached out to the victim’s family and close associates to share details of what she had confided during a counselling session. The woman doctor, whose body was found in the seminar hall of the hospital on the morning of 9 August last year, had reportedly spoken about her mental distress during the session.

Victim suffered mental stress

According to the psychologist, the victim had complained of extreme psychological fatigue caused by sleep deprivation due to “sustained and prolonged duty hours” assigned to her. The psychologist further claimed that she believed these excessive shifts were deliberately allotted as a form of harassment after she started raising concerns about mismanagement and irregularities by certain senior officials.

Commitment to testify

The psychologist has assured the victim’s parents that, if given an opportunity, he would present his findings in any court where the case is being heard. His testimony, if recorded, could become an essential piece of evidence for the CBI in its next phase of investigation. The focus of the probe is reportedly on potential tampering and alteration of evidence during the initial stages of the case.

Court’s direction to CBI

A fresh hearing on the case began this week at the Calcutta High Court before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh. The judge has directed the CBI to clarify whether the crime was a case of “rape” or “gang-rape.” The agency has also been instructed to submit the case diary to the court during the next hearing, scheduled for 28 March.

Following the court’s observations, several bodies within the state’s medical fraternity have intensified their demands for justice. 

IANS