The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has obtained permission to conduct polygraph tests on Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and four colleagues of the deceased victim.
The investigation is focusing on a crucial 22-minute period between two calls made to the victim’s family on August 9—the first at 10:53 AM, stating that she was unwell, and the second at 11:15 AM, reporting her death by suicide. Investigators believe that the polygraph tests may help reconstruct the events leading up to the victim's death
A CBI official confirmed that the Sealdah Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court granted permission for these polygraph tests after the CBI approached the court with the request. This development follows directions from the Supreme Court, which, during a suo motu hearing on the incident, ordered the Sealdah court to make a decision by 5 PM on August 23.
While polygraph test results are not legally admissible as confessions in court, they can assist investigators by providing leads based on the suspect's physiological responses during questioning.
The Supreme Court also questioned the West Bengal government regarding a "14-hour delay" in filing the First Information Report (FIR) related to the case. The CBI had previously sought permission from the Sealdah court to conduct a polygraph test on Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer and the main suspect, who was arrested shortly after the incident. Both Ghosh and the four doctors had already been questioned extensively, with Ghosh reportedly being interrogated for over 75 hours.
Details from the investigation indicate that the victim last spoke to her parents around 11:15 PM on August 8, informing them that she was about to have dinner. She, along with the four doctors, had dinner around 12:30 AM, and they watched the Olympics together before she went to sleep in the seminar room around 2:30 AM on August 9. The incident is believed to have occurred between 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM, with her body being discovered around 9:45 AM in the seminar room.
What is a polygraph test?
A polygraph test, often referred to as a lie detector, measures various physiological responses—such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, and skin conductivity—during a questioning session. For this test to be conducted, the accused must provide formal consent, which must be given before a judicial magistrate.
According to the American Psychological Association, the purpose of this test is to assess whether a person has committed a crime. However, it doesn't directly measure honesty; rather, the polygraph operator interprets the physiological data to make an assessment. The machine tracks indicators like heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory patterns, and perspiration using sensitive tools such as cardio cuffs and electrodes. These measurements are then analyzed to determine whether the individual is being truthful, deceptive, or uncertain.
Despite its use in investigations, senior advocate Milon Mukherjee emphasizes that polygraph test results are not admissible as evidence in court. This is because the law protects individuals from being compelled to incriminate themselves.
How is a polygraph test conducted?
1. Pre-Test Interview
The process begins with a pre-test interview where the examiner gathers essential background information and prepares diagnostic questions. The examinee is introduced to the test procedure and the types of questions that will be asked.
2. Explanation of the Process
The examiner explains the polygraph process to the examinee, ensuring they understand how the test works and what to expect during the questioning.
3. Stimulus Test
A "stimulus test" is conducted, during which the examinee is asked to deliberately lie. This allows the examiner to demonstrate how the polygraph can detect deception based on physiological responses.
4. Main Test
During the main test, a series of questions are asked while the polygraph machine records the examinee's physiological responses, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration. Multiple charts are generated to capture this data.
5. Analysis of Results
The examiner reviews and analyzes the recorded data from the test, looking for patterns in the physiological responses that may indicate whether the examinee is being truthful or deceptive.
6. Reliability Consideration
It’s important to recognize that polygraph tests have limitations. Their accuracy is not guaranteed, as recognized by scientific and government bodies, which acknowledge the potential for errors in determining truthfulness.
However, it is important to note that polygraph tests are not foolproof. Both scientific research and governmental organizations recognize that these tests can sometimes produce inaccurate results when determining whether someone is being truthful.
Why is it necessary in RG Kar Rape-Murder case?
A CBI officer disclosed that former RG Kar principal, Sandip Ghosh, reported being informed around 9:15 AM on August 9 about the discovery of the victim's body by an ASI. The Tala police were notified by 9:45 AM, and a formal complaint was lodged at 10:10 AM. However, Ghosh was not present when the police arrived at the hospital. He also stated that the victim's parents received the first call at 10:53 AM, informing them of her condition, followed by another call at 11:15 AM reporting her death by suicide.
Investigators, unsatisfied with Ghosh's version of events, are scrutinizing his call records to clarify what happened during the 22-minute window between the two calls. Additionally, the CBI has sought court permission to administer a polygraph test to Sanjay Roy, the main suspect in the case, with a decision on this request expected by Friday evening when Roy appears in court.
Post a Comment