Kolkata Police summons TMC MP Sukhendu Shekhar Ray after his 'sniffer dog' claim in RG Kar rape-murder case

The summons follows closely on the heels of the Kolkata Police issuing notices to actor-turned-BJP leader Locket Chatterjee and two doctors - Kunal Sarkar and Subarno Goswami - over misinformation spread too.

In a strongly worded post on X, Sukhendu Shekhar Ray claimed that a dog squad was sent to the crime scene three days after the body of the victim was found on August 9.

He expressed his dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the Kolkata Police and demanded for the custodial interrogation of both the former Principal of RG Kar Medical College, Dr Sandip Ghosh, and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal.

"CBI must act fairly. Custodial interrogation of Ex Principal and Police Commissioner is a must to know who and why floated suicide story. Why wall of hall demolished, who patronised Roy to be so powerful, Why sniffer dog used after 3 days. 100s of such questions. Make them speak," Ray posted.

The call for Commissioner Goyal's interrogation has, however, did not go well within the party as prominent TMC leader Kunal Ghosh strongly opposed the demand.

"I also demand justice in the RG Kar case but strongly oppose this demand regarding CP. After getting the information, he has tried his best. Personally, CP was doing his job, and the investigation was in a positive focus. This kind of post is unfortunate, that too from my senior leader," Ghosh said.

Ray was also one of the first TMC leaders to announce his participation in the nationwide midnight protest over the rape and murder.

"Tomorrow I am going to join the protesters, particularly because I have a daughter and little granddaughter like millions of Bengali families. We must rise to the occasion. Enough of cruelty against women. Let's resist together. Come what may," Ray had posted.

Ray's stance, however,  led to speculation about his position within the party. When an X user asked him about the potential consequences of his actions he would face as a result of this,  Ray responded: "Please need not worry for my fate. Blood of a freedom fighter flows in my veins. I'm least bothered."

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sandip Ghosh, was quizzed by CBI officials for the second consecutive day and has been summoned for questioning on Sunday too.  The questioning, which lasted for several hours, focused on his actions and responses on the night of the incident.

The CBI is corroborating Dr Ghosh's account with testimonies from other medical staff and police officers who were on duty that night. He resigned two days after the discovery of the doctor's body on August 9.

The CBI is investigating around 40 individuals, including doctors, interns, and police officers. The agency has already questioned over 20 people, and forensic teams have been deployed to collect and analyse evidence from multiple locations, including the RG Kar hospital and the residence of the prime accused, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer of Kolkata Police.