The promotion of Seema Pahuja, the investigating officer in the case of a junior doctor’s rape and murder at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, has stirred frustration among the victim’s parents. Pahuja, previously an Additional Superintendent in CBI’s anti-corruption branch in Chandigarh, has been promoted to Superintendent in CBI’s special crime branch in New Delhi while continuing her role in the ongoing case. Her investigation identified Sanjay Roy as the sole perpetrator, leading to his conviction and life imprisonment.
The victim’s parents have criticized Pahuja for allegedly neglecting a thorough investigation and merely echoing Kolkata Police’s initial findings. Expressing dissatisfaction with Pahuja’s promotion, the victim’s mother stated that she believes Pahuja should face consequences for her handling of the case. The victim’s father also voiced concerns, suggesting that Pahuja should have stepped down from the investigation if she could not conduct it effectively.
Pahuja is not the sole target of the victim’s parents’ scrutiny regarding the investigation. They have raised doubts about the neutrality of the CBI probe, pointing out potential conflicts of interest involving senior officials from both CBI and the West Bengal Police. The controversy surrounding the case, which led to the removal of the then Kolkata Police Commissioner, Vineet Kumar Goyal, has further fueled concerns about the investigative process.
