DNA Analysis of Kolkata Doctor’s Body Reveals Presence of Woman’s DNA

Kolkata, January 21, 2025:In a shocking development in the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old junior doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, DNA samples collected from the victim’s body have revealed the presence of a woman’s DNA, alongside that of the convicted perpetrator, Sanjay Roy. This finding has sparked further controversy and raised questions about whether other individuals were involved in the crime or if contamination occurred during the post-mortem.

The DNA analysis report, submitted by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to the local court, revealed traces of female DNA in a “very poor percentage.” This has led to doubts as to whether another woman may have been involved in the gruesome crime or if the sample was contaminated during the autopsy process. The nipple swab, collected from the victim’s body, revealed a complete DNA profile of the accused Sanjay Roy, along with a full profile of the victim. However, the report indicated a trace of another female’s DNA, although at a minimal level.

The court, which sentenced Roy to life imprisonment on Monday, noted that while the crime was horrific, it did not meet the criteria for the “rarest of rare” category, and therefore, the death penalty was not applicable. Roy, a 35-year-old former civic police volunteer, was found guilty of raping and murdering the young doctor, but the victim’s family, along with a section of the medical community, has raised suspicions that Roy was not the only person involved in the crime.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case, informed the court that the traces of female DNA could be attributed to contamination during the autopsy, rather than the involvement of another individual. A CFSL scientist also supported this theory, stating that there was a possibility of contamination of the swabs. However, the complainant’s counsel, representing the victim’s family, argued that this contamination was intentional, aimed at misleading the investigation and obscuring the involvement of other potential perpetrators.

The DNA of another female chromosome was reportedly found in the anal swab, nipple swab, and vulvar mop taken during the victim’s post-mortem. The complainant’s lawyer emphasized the possibility that a second woman was involved in the crime, but her identity had been deliberately concealed, warranting further investigation into the matter.

Roy, who denied his involvement in the crime, accused the police of planting his DNA on the nipple swab when the court questioned him about the presence of his DNA in the sample. However, the court rejected this defense, finding it to be unconvincing. The court also noted that by the time Roy was arrested, the victim’s body had already been cremated, ruling out the possibility of the police planting evidence.

In its ruling, the court acknowledged the challenges faced by medical professionals in conducting post-mortems under less-than-ideal conditions due to lack of infrastructure and resources. It urged that the shortcomings of the post-mortem process should not be overlooked when addressing the case.

The case remains surrounded by uncertainty, with the discovery of the female DNA adding a new layer of complexity. The victim’s family and legal representatives have called for a thorough re-investigation to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the tragic crime. As the legal proceedings continue, the question of whether a second woman played a role in the murder remains unanswered, and authorities are under pressure to explore all possible avenues in this case.