The family of a doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered last month, joined protesting medical staff at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday. The family accused the Kolkata Police of attempting to cover up the case by quickly cremating the doctor’s body. They allege that a senior police officer offered them a bribe after the incident was acknowledged.
The family claimed that the police tried to hush up the case from the beginning. They were not allowed to see the doctor’s body before it was taken for a post-mortem examination and had to wait at the police station. When the body was finally handed over, a senior police official offered them money, which they immediately refused.
These accusations have further fueled the ongoing protests demanding justice for the victim. In the second week of August, the Calcutta High Court, responding to public outrage, ordered the case to be transferred to the CBI. The parents of the postgraduate trainee joined the protests, standing alongside junior doctors who are also advocating for justice.
Since August 10th, widespread protests have erupted across West Bengal, with individuals from various sectors calling for accountability. On Monday, the CBI arrested Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in connection with alleged financial misconduct at the institution.
The West Bengal Assembly has taken action by unanimously passing a state anti-rape bill seeking capital punishment for rape convicts whose actions result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state. A life sentence without parole is proposed for other perpetrators. The Bill mandates that investigations into rape cases must be concluded within 24 days of the initial report.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her support for the West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2024, stating that its purpose is to safeguard the dignity of women. She emphasized the urgency of the bill, arguing that mistreatment of Bengal would have a ripple effect. Banerjee criticized the central government for not responding to her letters regarding the matter and claimed that the states were not consulted during the hasty passing of the Code of Justice Bill before the elections. She stressed the importance of involving the Rajya Sabha, opposition parties, and all stakeholders in future legislation.
