IMA questions Fingerprint expert's involvement, Slams Kolkata Police's handling of RG Kar medico death case

Kolkata: After the Kolkata police clarified a crowded photo of the seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the PG trainee doctor was found dead on August 9, the West Bengal state branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) slammed the police department and questioned the presence of alleged 'Fingerprint Expert' Dr Avik De in the seminar room.

Recently, the association pointed out Dr Avik De who was referred to be a Finger Print Expert as per a Kolkata police statement. Issuing a press release on Saturday, the association claimed that the person, who was referred to as the fingerprint expert, was a first-year postgraduate trainee of the surgery department at Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial Hospital (SSKM), Kolkata.

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This comes after a press conference held by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), Indira Mukherjee, where she claimed that no unauthorized individuals were present at the crime scene. However, a viral photograph of a crowded seminar room on the day of the incident features Dr Avik, whose credentials are now in question as he was seen among police officers, videographers, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) members, and others in the seminar room.

Meanwhile, the viral photos showing many people in the seminar hall have raised concerns about whether it is acceptable for so many individuals to access the crime scene. Furthermore, there are allegations that the crime scene's integrity was compromised, as reported by News 18.

In a Facebook post, the association stated, "Please let us know when the great Dr Avik De became Finger Print Expert? (As stated by Kolkata Police). As we all know, he is a 1st year Post Graduate Trainee of Surgery Department of SSKM Hospital."

Further, it said, "We also know that there are lot of controversies regarding his getting admission to the PG course. It is said that though Dr Avik De worked as an RMO in Burdwan Medical College, but the then Principal of that College Dr Kaustav Nayek gave him a false Certificate mentioning that he worked in Anamoy Hospital, just to get him Service Quota for PG admission, manipulating all the official papers. And in return without declaring the result of the 1st interview or cancelling the same, Dr Kaustav Nayek was made DME through a 2nd interview, superseeding many other senior & eligible Principals."

Expressing concern over the issue, the association has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate his presence and reidentify Dr Avik De. They also asked the agency to enquire what he was doing at R G Kar at the crime scene as he was found standing behind DME during his press briefing.

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