The tragic incident at Kolkata RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered, has ignited widespread controversy and public outrage. The incident, which took place last week, has not only shocked the city but also led to a series of political accusations and protests.
In the wake of the incident, Kolkata Police have taken to social media to share images of individuals believed to be involved in the subsequent mob rampage at the hospital. The police posted photos on Facebook, highlighting the faces of several people who allegedly stormed the facility and ransacked the emergency ward. The post urged the public to assist in identifying the suspects, stating, “Information wanted: Anyone who can help identify the individuals circled in red in the images below is requested to do so, either directly to us or through your local PS.”
Amidst the ongoing social media-driven “Reclaim The Night” protests, which demand justice for the slain doctor, a group of nearly 40 unidentified individuals reportedly infiltrated the hospital premises just after midnight on Thursday. According to the police, these miscreants, allegedly posing as protestors, vandalized hospital property and clashed with law enforcement, leading to the deployment of teargas to disperse the mob. The incident also saw damage to a police vehicle and several two-wheelers parked at the scene.
In response to the chaos and the spread of misinformation online, Kolkata Police issued another social media post, clarifying that the crime scene, specifically the seminar room where the doctor’s body was found, remained untouched. “Scene of crime is Seminar Room which is intact and has not been touched. Don’t spread fake news. We will take legal action,” the police warned.
Typographical error : Scene of Crime https://t.co/pEU9tzLWkm
— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) August 15, 2024
Eyewitnesses from the hospital, including security guard Pronoy Das, recounted the events of the night. Das described the overwhelming force of the mob, stating, “Around 1 am last night when about 500-1,000 people came here. We locked the gate here, but they broke it down. They were too many, we were 10-12 people and the Police. So we were no match. They barged in and vandalised the property.”
The political fallout from the incident has been intense. BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of orchestrating the violence. He alleged that TMC goons, under the orders of party leader Mamata Banerjee, infiltrated the apolitical protest rally and carried out the vandalism. Adhikari further claimed that the miscreants were given safe passage by the police to destroy crucial evidence.
Mamata Banerjee has sent her TMC goons to the apolitical Protest Rally near RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
She thinks that she is the most shrewd person in the whole world and people won’t be able to figure out the cunning plan that her goons appearing as protestors would… pic.twitter.com/1CPI2f1KUr— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) August 14, 2024
On the other hand, Trinamool Congress general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee condemned the violence and emphasized the need for swift justice. He stated that he had spoken with Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, urging him to ensure that all those responsible for the violence are identified and held accountable within 24 hours, regardless of their political affiliations. Banerjee also voiced support for the protesting doctors, calling their demands “fair and justified.”
National General Secretary, All India Trinamool Congress & Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee tweets, “The hooliganism and vandalism at RG Kar tonight have exceeded all acceptable limits. As a public representative, I just spoke with the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, urging him to… pic.twitter.com/YUG0eLrOrX
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2024
The incident has led to the arrest of a civic volunteer in connection with the rape and murder. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the transfer of the investigation from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), further intensifying the scrutiny on the case. The victim’s semi-naked body was discovered on the morning of August 9 in the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, sparking the current wave of protests and demands for justice.
