In the wake of the shocking rape and murder of a young woman at a Kolkata hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has planned a rally today to demand the death penalty for the perpetrators. She has set a deadline for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to ensure that the guilty parties are executed and the investigation is completed by August 18. According to Banerjee, the Kolkata Police have already wrapped up 90% of their investigation.
The announcement of the rally has surprised many, given the accusations that the local police mishandled the case and that the ruling Trinamool Congress may have attempted to tamper with evidence. Banerjee, who oversees the home portfolio in the state, is expected to lead the demonstration this evening.
Trinamool MP and spokesperson Derek O’Brien provided insight into the rationale behind the Chief Minister’s planned protest. “The heinous nature of this crime—the murder and rape of a young woman in Kolkata—has understandably incited public outrage. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family,” O’Brien stated, explaining the rally’s context.
Mamata Banerjee to CBI for death murder in Rape _Murder
He emphasized that the CBI, which has now taken charge of the investigation, must provide daily updates. The deadline for the Kolkata Police was August 17, and O’Brien insists that the same timeline should apply to the CBI. He stressed the importance of swift justice, including arresting all involved parties and sending the case to a fast-track court.
O’Brien also condemned the mob violence that erupted at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the incident occurred. He reported that 19 individuals have been arrested for vandalizing the facility during a recent protest.
The tragic event at the hospital has ignited nationwide protests and strikes by medical professionals, underscoring the urgent call for justice and accountability.
Failure Of State Machinery: Calcutta High Court Questions Lack Of Security Measures To Curb Vandalism At RG Kar Hospital
In a recent development, the Calcutta High Court has expressed grave concerns over the failure of preventive measures that led to widespread vandalism and violence at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on the night of August 14.According to the State, despite police efforts to resist, they were overwhelmed by a massive mob of 5,000 to 7,000 individuals who breached barriers and injured several officers.A division bench, comprising Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, criticized the police for not foreseeing such large-scale violence, suggesting that the lack of intelligence and preparation indicated a significant failure in state machinery. Chief Justice Sivagnanam remarked.
“It is hard to believe that the state police were unaware of a gathering of 7,000 people. Normally, the police have an intelligence wing for such situations. Orders under Section 144 of the CrPC may be passed, but in the face of such commotion, a complete cordoning off of the area should have been implemented. This is an absolute failure of the state’s response. The question remains whether this vandalism could have been prevented. The focus now should be on why such destruction occurred and how to restore public confidence in law and order.
The court also emphasized the necessity of ensuring safety for the doctors and nurses at RG Kar Hospital, who are currently on strike. It underscored the importance of securing their ability to perform their duties without fear, following the recent violence that has undoubtedly affected their professional environment.
The violence erupted in response to the horrific rape and murder of a second-year PG medical student at RG Kar Hospital last week, which triggered nationwide protests. The High Court had recently transferred the investigation to the CBI, which had only begun its work a day before the vandalism occurred.he violence erupted in response to the horrific rape and murder of a second-year PG medical student at RG Kar Hospital last week, which triggered nationwide protests. The High Court had recently transferred the investigation to the CBI, which had only begun its work a day before the vandalism occurred.
The Court’s decision to transfer the investigation followed criticisms that the state police had not been proactive and that the state administration appeared unsupportive of the victim and her family. A division bench, while addressing multiple pleas, including one from the victim’s parents requesting an independent investigation, expressed concerns over the state police’s handling of the case.
The Kolkata Police had arrested a ‘civic volunteer’ connected to the local force, a move deemed by some as a cover-up attempt. The victim’s counsel argued that the state police investigation was flawed and that a scapegoat was being sought to obscure the truth.
The victim’s parents, represented by Senior Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, reported that they were initially informed of their daughter’s illness and then told of her supposed suicide, but were not allowed to see her body for up to three hours.
The court criticized the police for initially recording the case as an unnatural death and noted that the college authorities had not provided adequate support for the investigation. Consequently, it directed that the college principal be placed on indefinite leave until further orders.
Acknowledging the urgency and the potential for evidence destruction, the court granted the parents’ request to expedite the investigation, highlighting the unique and critical nature of this case.