Government rejects Opposition’s call for CBI enquiry into doctor Vandana’s murder
The HinduChief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan dismissed the Congress-led United Democratic Front Opposition’s accusation that the State police investigation into the workplace murder of young house surgeon Vandana Das at the Kottarakara taluk hospital casualty in May 2023 was deficient and riddled with legal loopholes favouring the assailant. Mr. Joseph said Vandana’s parents had said the State police probe insulated local officers, who failed to protect Vandana when the assailant stabbed her in their presence in the hospital’s causality, from legal jeopardy. Mr. Joseph said the bereaved parents also accused the police of arm-twisting witnesses, including Vandana’s colleagues, to give statements to suit their script. Mr. Vijayan said the High Court had heard Vandana’s parents and rejected their plea for a CBI probe.