Kolkata:
A witness in the case of the alleged gang-rape and murder of a college student at Kamduni in North 24 Parganas today died at a state-run hospital leading to allegations of negligence by hospital staff.
The witness, Bimal Ghosh, who was an uncle of the victim, was admitted to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital yesterday.
Following his demise, villagers from Kamduni, who had been camping overnight on hospital premises, immediately began a demonstration alleging negligence by hospital authorities.
Family sources alleged that Ghosh was beaten up by Kolkata police on September 10 during an agitation by Kamduni villagers against the rape and murder.
"That might be the reason for his death," family members alleged while calling for a high-level inquiry into the death.
Hospital sources said that the death would be investigated by the hospital superintendent and the doctors who attended Ghosh would be questioned. A review would also be conducted of the treatment procedure, they added.
CID had named Ghosh as a witness in the gang-rape and murder, which had taken place on July 7.