Viral letter of CBI officer withdrawing from Kolkata doctor rape-murder case is fake

Hyderabad: A letter allegedly written by Dr Akash Nag, ‘DIG and joint director of the Crime Branch’ in Kolkata, has been circulating on social media. However, Dr Akash Nag informed NewsMeter that the letter is fake and he was not assigned the case.

What are the contents of the letter?

The letter announced Dr Akash’s withdrawal from the case involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor from Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College.

Bearing the official logo of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the letter cited political interference and influence as the reasons for the official’s withdrawal from the case.

A Facebook user shared screenshots of the letter and the LinkedIn profile of Dr Aksah Nag and wrote, “Without high political connection such heinous crime not possible in hospital, nexus need exposure. This letter is a hint in that direction. when CBI has taken a case from the West Bengal govt, Is central power in any way direct or indirect involved in the case? (sic)” (Archive)

The screenshot of Dr Aksah Nag’s LinkedIn profile in the Facebook post stated that he is a senior forensic scientist.

When NewsMeter reached out on LinkedIn, Nag refuted the viral claim and confirmed that the letter is fake.

In a tweet, the CBI also clarified that the investigation is being handled by its Delhi headquarters, and no officer named Dr Akash Nag with the designation ‘DIG, Joint Director, Crime Branch, ACB, Kolkata’ exists within the agency. The CBI emphasised that the investigation is being conducted with full adherence to standard procedures and professionalism.

The official X handle of All India Radio also posted that the CBI has warned the public about a fake letter circulating on social media related to the investigation into the rape and murder of the doctor in Kolkata.