Kolkata Doctor’s Rape-Murder Case Sparks Controversy as Lawyer Criticizes Mamata Banerjee’s Response
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/19th August 2024
The tragic rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar hospital has ignited a wave of criticism, particularly towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On Monday, Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, the counsel representing the victim’s parents, launched a scathing attack on the state government, accusing it of trying to influence witnesses in the case and alleging that the Chief Minister often attempts to downplay crimes against women by offering compensation to victims’ families.
Bhattacharya’s remarks, which were reported by ANI, were aimed squarely at Mamata Banerjee’s handling of such sensitive cases. He accused her of routinely contacting the families of rape victims and offering monetary compensation as a way to close the matter. “The role of CM in the state of West Bengal is very condemnable. Wherever there is rape she wants to immediately get into contact with the victim’s family, pay them money, and say everything is over. Unfortunately, she has fixed a rate card for rape victims,” Bhattacharya stated.
The lawyer went further, claiming that Mamata Banerjee has a history of trying to buy the silence of witnesses in cases involving sexual violence. He alleged that such attempts were made in this case as well, but the victim’s parents firmly refused to be part of what he described as a “game played by the CM.” According to Bhattacharya, the parents rejected the offer of compensation because they believed their daughter would have disapproved and would be hurt by such a gesture. The father of the victim had previously stated that he could not accept compensation, as his daughter would not have wanted her suffering to be reduced to a financial transaction.
The case has garnered significant attention, with many questioning the conduct of the Kolkata police and the state government’s response. Bhattacharya did not hold back in his criticism of the police, particularly the Kolkata Police Commissioner. He argued that the commissioner should not have held press conferences on the matter, labeling his actions as a failure in controlling the situation. “The activity of the police after the report is not satisfactory,” Bhattacharya added, further fueling the public’s dissatisfaction with the investigation.
The brutal crime occurred inside the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar hospital, where the young doctor had gone to rest during a grueling 36-hour shift. She was brutally tortured, smothered, and ultimately killed. The case has since been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is now probing the matter. The police have arrested a civic volunteer named Sanjoy Roy in connection with the crime, but the investigation has also extended to the medical college’s former principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh. The CBI has been questioning Ghosh, particularly regarding the delay in allowing the victim’s parents to see their daughter’s body, which reportedly took three hours.
The case has not only sparked outrage but has also highlighted deep concerns about the handling of crimes against women in West Bengal. Bhattacharya’s fierce criticism of Mamata Banerjee and the state police underscores the growing frustration among those seeking justice for the victim. As the investigation continues, all eyes are on the CBI to deliver a thorough and impartial report, while the public demands accountability and transparency from those in power.
