The mother of a 31-year-old junior doctor who was raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of attempting to suppress protests against the crime. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state, with the victim’s mother expressing dissatisfaction with the Kolkata police’s handling of the case.
The victim’s mother criticized the Chief Minister for not taking sufficient action, alleging that only one person has been arrested despite the likelihood that more individuals were involved. She expressed concern that the Chief Minister was trying to stifle protests, as evidenced by the police enforcing prohibitory orders to prevent the assembly of protesters. These orders were particularly evident when the police intervened to prevent the gathering of protestors outside Salt Lake Stadium during a Durand Cup match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, leading to the match being abandoned.
The victim’s mother also accused the Kolkata police of conducting a rushed and inadequate investigation. She claimed that the police were more focused on closing the case quickly, pushing for a fast autopsy and cremation of her daughter’s body without properly investigating the circumstances of her death. The situation escalated to the point where the Kolkata High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case, citing concerns about the local police’s handling of the investigation.
The victim, a junior doctor, was found dead under suspicious circumstances, and initial reports from the hospital falsely claimed she had died by suicide. Her mother recounted the harrowing details of the condition in which they found her daughter, with visible injuries that strongly suggested foul play. This led to further anger and calls for justice, as many believe the crime involved more than just the one arrested individual.
In the aftermath of the crime, protests erupted throughout Kolkata and other parts of the country. Medical professionals and students led rallies demanding safer working conditions for doctors. The protests were particularly intense around Salt Lake Stadium, where football fans from rival clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan united in their outrage over the incident. Despite attempts by the police to disperse them, the protesters continued their demonstrations, reflecting the deep sense of injustice felt by many.
The investigation by the CBI is ongoing, with the agency questioning several individuals connected to the hospital, including Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College who was transferred after the crime. The case has garnered national attention, highlighting the need for greater protection and justice for medical professionals in India.
