In response to the nationwide outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, former Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal has called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to impose the “strictest action” against the accused and those attempting to protect them.
In her letter to the West Bengal CM, Maliwal condemned the horrific crime, stating, “The inhuman atrocities inflicted upon this young woman have brought shame upon humanity and sparked widespread protests across the nation. As an advocate for women’s rights, I have been closely monitoring this case, and my revulsion only deepens with each new detail.”
Maliwal highlighted serious concerns arising from media reports, including delays in notifying the victim’s family and issues surrounding the investigation. “The post-mortem report indicates the assault occurred between 3 am and 5 am on August 9, yet the first notification to the family was significantly delayed,” she noted.
The former DCW chief also pointed out troubling aspects such as the denial of access to the body, the failure to promptly file an FIR, and misleading attempts to label the case as a “suicide.” Additionally, she criticized the recent transfer of the principal and the Calcutta High Court’s remarks about possible evidence tampering at the crime scene, which have fueled suspicions.
Maliwal further condemned the incident where a mob stormed RG Medical Hospital, damaging the emergency wing. She described this as “blatant hooliganism” that not only destroyed public property but also may have intimidated vital witnesses. The lack of police protection for such a critical site, especially following a heinous crime, underscores severe concerns about the state of law and order, according to Maliwal.
In her letter, Maliwal urged CM Banerjee to transcend “political expediency” and ensure the harshest penalties for those involved in crimes against women and children. She also called for full cooperation with the CBI to guarantee a thorough investigation and to hold accountable those who attempted to cover up the crime and shield the accused.
On August 9, the body of a post-graduate trainee doctor was discovered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Allegations of rape and murder have sparked nationwide protests by doctors and medical communities.
