No Drugs Found in Samples of Ganapati Murder Case Accused; Experts Say Negative Result Not Unusual

Halim Ansari, Rangpur

No traces of drugs were found in the samples of Siddhartha Das and Mugdha Das, accused in the brutal murder of schoolteacher Ganapati and his wife and children in Rangpur. The finding has created confusion among a section of people, particularly on Facebook, where discussions over the test results have intensified.

They are allegedly trying to use the drug-test report to divert attention from the actual incident. However, doctors say amphetamine generally does not remain detectable in blood or urine for long. It usually remains detectable in urine for five to seven days. Since the two accused had been in custody for more than seven days, the negative test result was not considered unusual.

Samples were collected from the two accused at Rangpur Central Jail last Sunday afternoon for drug testing. An officer in charge of the police intelligence unit and the investigating officer were present, along with a technologist and an assistant from the Rangpur Medical College laboratory.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (DB) Sanatan Chakraborty said the samples were collected from the jail gate on Sunday under special security arrangements. The samples were later tested, but no traces of amphetamine were found.

Rangpur Medical College Hospital Principal Anwar Hossain said the police administration had requested the drug tests in writing. Accordingly, two technologists were sent to the jail gate under police escort and special security arrangements. They collected the samples, conducted the tests and sealed the reports before sending them to the police administration through the investigating officer.

Regarding the negative results, Anwar Hossain said amphetamine generally does not remain detectable in blood or urine for a long period. It usually remains detectable in urine for five to seven days and becomes difficult to detect afterward. Since the accused had been in custody for more than seven days, the negative result was not unexpected.

Several other specialist doctors also said the period during which drugs can be detected varies from person to person. In most cases, detecting drugs in a urine sample becomes difficult seven or more days after consumption. In this case, therefore, a negative result from samples collected about nine days after the incident is not unusual. Had the samples been collected closer to the time of the incident, they could have provided comparatively more reliable evidence of drug use.

Meanwhile, various quarters have blamed the police over the timing of the drug tests. According to them, the police knew how long after drug consumption a test could provide reliable results. They questioned why the tests were conducted so late in such a sensitive and widely discussed case.

They alleged that conducting the tests about nine days after the incident gave those seeking to create confusion an opportunity. The police, however, say they had applied for the drug tests earlier.