Tag: Kolkata Rape-Murder Case

  • ‘Your Delegation May Visit…’, Mamata Invites Junior Doctors, They Flag ‘Insult’ |

    West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has been under fire from the opposition for the past month over the TMC’s handling of a Kolkata doctor’s alleged rape and murder case. In an attempt to address the growing unrest, Mamata invited the protesting junior doctors for a meeting at the state secretariat, Nabanna, on Tuesday to resolve the impasse.

    “Your small delegation (maximum 10 persons) may visit ‘Nabanna’ now to meet government representatives,” PTI cited an email sent by the state’s Health Secretary N S Nigam to the agitating medics. 

    Meanwhile, West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya stated that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is currently waiting in her office for the delegation of junior doctors to arrive for the scheduled meeting. 

    “The chief minister has been waiting at her chamber… We are yet to get any reply from them,” Bhattacharya said. 

    Junior Doctors Response To Mamata’s Meeting Call 

    One of the agitating junior doctors expressed dissatisfaction after receiving a communication from the state health secretary, rather than from the state secretariat, regarding the RG Kar hospital issue. “Receiving the mail from Nigam is an ‘insult for us,’ as we have been seeking his resignation,” the doctor told reporters. 

    “We did not get any mail from the state secretariat. We got the mail from the state health secretary, whose resignation we seek. This is an insult,” he stated. 

    The medic further described the state’s decision to limit the number of representatives for the meeting to 10 as ‘humiliating.’ 

    “Our protests and our ‘cease work’ will continue,” the demonstrating doctor said. 

    Junior doctors across West Bengal have been on a ‘cease work’ protest at state-run hospitals, demanding justice for a young doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered last month at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. 

  • ‘We Too Agree…’: TMC’s Kunal Ghosh Backs Jawhar Sircar’s Sentiments On Resignation Over Kolkata Rape-Murder |

    Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Jawhar Sircar on Sunday sparked a debate with his letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, announcing his decision to resign from the Rajya Sabha. Sircar’s resignation comes in the aftermath of the shocking rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor, a tragedy that has shaken the state. In response, fellow TMC leader Kunal Ghosh expressed his agreement with a significant part of Sircar’s letter. 

    “We have learned that Jawhar Sircar has made his decision. He was one of the finest bureaucrats in the country and a standout from West Bengal. This is his personal choice, decision, and letter, and he has every right to take such a step. We simply want to express that we, too, agree with the essence of his letter and the questions it raises.” Ghosh told reporters in Kolkata. 

    #WATCH | Kolkata: On TMC Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar quitting from his post, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh says, “Jawahar Sarkar is a respected person… He is one of the best bureaucrats in the country. This is his personal decision, his personal letter, I cannot comment on it. He has… pic.twitter.com/evGwLxcHrM
    — ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2024

    Earlier in the day, Jawhar Sircar, in a letter to TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, voiced his disappointment with the state government’s handling of corruption following the scandal involving the former education minister. 

    He highlighted that the incident at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered, was the tipping point of his decision. 

    I am quitting as MP primarily because of WB government’s faulty handling of the most spontaneous public movement following the terrible rape-murder case at RG Kar Hospital.
    Quitting politics— to be with the people in their struggle for justice.
    My commitment to values unchanged pic.twitter.com/V98R06ziny
    — Jawhar Sircar (@jawharsircar) September 8, 2024

    Jawhar Sircar expressed disappointment, stating that despite his initial hopes for significant reforms through Mamata Banerjee’s anti-corruption campaign, little progress had been made.

  • ED Raids Homes Of Former RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh And Associate Biplab Singh In Kolkata Scam Case |

    Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: In the RG Kar scam case, the ED conducted an early morning raid at the house of former RG Kar principal Sandeep Ghosh. The ED also raided the house of Sandeep Ghosh’s close associate Biplab Singh in Howrah. Biplab Singh had already been arrested earlier by the CBI.

    Further details are awaited. 

  • ‘Mamata Banerjee Is A Liar’, BJP Demands Explanation For Failing To Protect Women In West Bengal |

    Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: In a heated exchange over women’s safety, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday called West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee a ‘liar’ and demanded she puts forward an explanation for her government’s failure to enforce stringent protections for women. This sharp rebuke comes after Banerjee’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which she advocated for tougher central laws and faster judicial proceedings for heinous crimes like rape and murder. Amit Malviya, BJP’s co-incharge for West Bengal, accused Banerjee of not only neglecting existing legal frameworks but also failing to establish fast-track courts to address these serious issues.

    7 rapes (mostly minors) and in some cases murders too, reported from Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal in last 48 hours….

    But in last 48 hours, Mamata Banerjee has been engaged in every deplorable act, that a civilised Chief Minister would be ashamed of – from issuing open letters… pic.twitter.com/009JvQx3ld


    — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 30, 2024

    Recently, Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. She also sought mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of cases of rape/rape and murder. “It is incumbent on Mamata Banerjee to explain why the West Bengal government hasn’t done anything for implementing the stringent rules and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girls,” BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya said in a post on X.

    Mamata Banerjee is a LIAR.

    Smt Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on 25th Aug 2024.

    In her letter, in point 4, she specifically mentions West Bengal Govt NOT setting up even a single Fast Track Court for… https://t.co/mtNgQNLlnx pic.twitter.com/bu2Tf9Ptm2
    — Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 30, 2024

    “Stop writing letters. Answer the questions. You are accountable,” he added. In her letter, Banerjee said that she was yet to receive a reply from the prime minister on the issue that she had flagged in her previous letter to him. The chief minister, however, said that she received a communication from the Union Women and Child Development (WCD) minister Annapurna Devi.

    Maintaining that the letter by the WCD minister “barely attends the gravity of the issue” raised by her, Banerjee wrote, “The seriousness of the subject and its relevance to the society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply.”

    Banerjee, in her letter to the PM, mentioned that 88 fast-track special courts and 62 POCSO-designated courts are already functioning in West Bengal on state funding. Reacting sharply, Malviya said, “Mamata Banerjee is a Liar”.

    “Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on August 25, 2024. In her letter, in point 4, she (the WCD minister) specifically mentions West Bengal government not setting up even a single fast track court for addressing rape and POCSO related cases,” the BJP leader said. He also posted on X a copy of the WCD minister’s letter to the West Bengal chief minister. Malviya said that as many as seven cases of rape, mostly of minors, and in some cases murders too have been reported in West Bengal in the last 48 hours.

    “But in the last 48 hours, Mamata Banerjee has been engaged in every deplorable act – that a civilised chief minister would be ashamed of – from issuing open letters to clarifications, from threatening and abusing doctors to inciting nationwide arson,” he said in another post on X.

    He called Banerjee a “failed Home and Health Minister” of the state and alleged that she is preoccupied with suppressing evidences of her corruption and incompetence in the RG Kar Hospital rape-and-murder case.

    “But, enough is enough. The awakened conscience of Bengal now calls for accountability,” the BJP leader added.

  • ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ March Over Kolkata Rape-Murder Today: Mamata Government On Edge; Who Called It, Why Police Deemed It ‘Illegal’ | 10 Points |

    The Kolkata Police have implemented extensive security measures ahead of today’s ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ protest march, anticipating potential violence. The demonstration, driven by demands for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation, follows the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. 

    The march is directed towards Nabanna, the state secretariat and the hub of the West Bengal government, where the Chief Minister and other senior ministers and officials have their offices. 


    The protest march called the ‘Nabanna Abhijan’  is led by two groups. The first is an unregistered student body, ‘Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj’ and the second is named ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha,’ a group of state government employees who have been demanding that their DA be brought in line with what central government employees receive. 


    However, on Monday, Kolkata’s Additional Commissioner of Police, Supratim Sarkar, announced that the application by the ‘Paschimbanga Chhatro Samaj’ to hold the protest has been denied. “They had announced through social media and the press that they will be undertaking a program called Nabanno Abhiyaan on 27th August, but they did not seek permission, which is a mandatory requirement as far as the High Court directives,” said Sarkar. 


    The police cited traffic concerns as the reason for rejecting permission for the march. They explained that allowing large gatherings could cause major disruptions, which would seriously inconvenience candidates heading to the UGC-NET exams. The national-level exam is being held today, with many candidates from the state expected to participate. 



    Addressing reporters at Nabanna, ADG (Law and Order) Manoj Verma said that police have received credible intelligence suggesting attempts would be made by miscreants to mix among protestors and incite large-scale violence and chaos during the rally, PTI reported.


    “We have received separate mails from the two organisations only after we held a press conference earlier in the day. The one from ‘Chhatra Samaj’ was only an intimation about the programme having no details on the rally and did not seek any permission. Hence it was rejected,” PTI quoted Sarakar.


    According to ADG, South Bengal Supratim Sarkar, the second application, which included details about expected turnout and other relevant information, was rejected for two reasons. First, many students were scheduled to take the UGC-NET exams on Tuesday, and second, prohibitory orders around Nabanna currently prevent any gatherings in the area.


    The Trinamool Congress has labeled the rally a ‘conspiracy’ aimed at creating chaos on the streets. To support their claim, they released videos allegedly showing BJP leaders from Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district planning to incite violence during the event.


    The state police have deemed the rallies, which gained support largely through social media, as ‘illegal’ and ‘unauthorized.’ The authorities said that they have taken necessary measures to address concerns about potential law and order issues during the march. The government has imposed prohibitory orders near Nabanna under Section 163 of BNSS preventing the assembly of five or more persons.


    Chhatra Samaj spokesperson Sayan Lahiri stated, “The claims made by the TMC and police are baseless. We aim to raise our demands peacefully. If we are stopped, we will attempt to proceed to the secretariat gate in a non-violent manner to demand the CM’s resignation due to her failure to prevent incidents like the RG Kar case which has shocked the nation.” He added that rallies, starting from various locations and heading to Nabanna, are organised by an apolitical platform with no ties to the BJP, RSS, or ABVP.


    On August 22, the Supreme Court ruled that the West Bengal government must allow peaceful protests related to the incident without disruption. However, the court clarified that it has not barred the state government from exercising its lawful powers.

  • Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: CBI Raids Dr Sandip Ghosh’s Residence Over RG Kar Hospital Scam |

    Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: A team of CBI officials, including female officers, is currently waiting outside Dr. Sandip Ghosh’s residence. The officials have not yet entered the house as Dr. Ghosh remains inside, not opening the door. This raid is part of an investigation into financial irregularities linked to the R G Kar Hospital scam.

    Since Sunday morning, the CBI has intensified its crackdown on a major financial corruption case. Raids were conducted at multiple locations, including Sandeep’s residence in Beleghata and Dr. Debashish Som’s house in Kestopur. The investigation focuses on the links between Sandeep and Dr. Som, a forensic expert.

    In addition, the CBI raided the home of former RG Kar Medical Superintendent Sanjay Vasisht in Entally. Searches were also carried out in Howrah, targeting a medical supplier’s residence in Hatgachha. The agency also raided Biplab Singh’s home, alongside the residences of two other suppliers, Officer Khan and Suman Hazra. Sandeep Ghosh is accused of granting special favors to these suppliers.

  • Padma Awardee Doctors, Including Ex-ICMR DG, Ex-AIIMS Delhi Director Urge PM Modi For Special Law To Protect Healthcare Workers |

    Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Expressing anguish over the Kolkata rape-murder incident, over 70 Padma awardee doctors have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding quick enactment of a special law to deal with violence against healthcare personnel and implementation of improved safety protocols in medical facilities.

    They suggested that the Centre bring an ordinance immediately to ensure the ‘harshest possible punishment’ to those who indulge in violence against healthcare workers, whether verbal or physical.

    There have been widespread protests by healthcare personnel and others following the alleged rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital and claims of a botched-up investigation and cover-up. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other doctors’ bodies are pressing for a central law to ensure the safety of medics.

    Among those who have written the letter are former Director General of ICMR Dr Balram Bhargav, former AIIMS Delhi Director Dr Randeep Guleria and Dr S K Sarin, Director of Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences,

    In the letter, the Padma awardees have sought PM Modi’s immediate and personal intervention to address the alarming situation, saying such acts of brutality shake the very foundations of service by medical professionals and highlight the urgent need to address violence, particularly against women, girls, and healthcare professionals.

    The doctors expressed “deep concern and profound anguish” over the horrific event at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

    “We stand in unwavering solidarity with the victim’s family, whose pain and loss are unimaginable. We also extend our full support to the medical community, who are increasingly confronting such violence in the course of their work. The safety and dignity of healthcare professionals must be safeguarded with utmost priority,” the letter said.

    The doctors stated that stronger measures are desperately needed to prevent such atrocities.

    “We call upon law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and society at large to take immediate and decisive action,” the letter said.

    The doctors emphasised the need for law enforcement agencies to more rigorously apply current legal frameworks to protect healthcare professionals and advocated for severe and swift penalties to serve as a deterrent against such crimes.

    The letter urges the government to implement improved safety protocols within healthcare facilities to ensure a secure working environment for all medical staff.

    “We urge the central and state governments to quickly enact and implement a separate law for the protection of healthcare workers, ensuring its rapid enforcement on the ground,” the letter said.

    “A proposed bill, The Prevention of Violence Against Doctors, Medical Professionals and Medical Institutions Bill, has been ready since 2019 but has not yet been tabled in Parliament for passage and adoption.

    “We strongly believe that an ordinance to this effect can be brought immediately, and the bill should be passed post-haste so that all those working in healthcare delivery systems in the country can work without fear, in service of suffering patients,” the letter said.

    The doctors also stressed that the proposed ordinance/bill should ensure that the harshest possible punishment is given to those who indulge in violence against healthcare workers, whether verbal or physical.

    Such cases should be resolved swiftly by the judiciary, with offences categorised as non-bailable.

    “Let this tragedy serve as a catalyst for real, lasting change. We earnestly appeal to you through this letter to safeguard the medical profession against physical assaults and defacement of the dignity and respect of all healthcare workers,” the letter said.

    The awardee doctors include Radiologist and Founder and Managing Director of Mahajan Imaging Dr Harsh Mahajan, Dr Nikhil Tandon, head of the department of endocrinology at AIIMS, Delhi, Dr D S Rana, Chairman of the Department of Nephrology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Dr Dr Sandeep Guleria, Transplant Specialist Surgeon.

  • Breaking: SC Takes Cognisance Of Kolkata Rape-Murder Case, Hearing On Aug 20 |

    New Delhi: The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

    According to the cause list of August 20 uploaded on the apex court website, a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud is scheduled to hear on Tuesday a matter titled ‘In Re: Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata and related issue’.

    The Calcutta High Court recently transferred the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI.

    The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor at a seminar hall of the state-run hospital has sparked widespread protests.

  • Healthcare In West Bengal Disrupted As Doctors Protest Rape-Murder Of Colleague |

    Healthcare services across West Bengal were severely disrupted on Saturday as doctors joined their junior colleagues in a strike, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a medical professional at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Services in the outpatient departments of both government and private hospitals were impacted. 

    The demonstrations that began eight days ago by the junior doctors, today saw the participation of senior healthcare professionals nationwide after the call from the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The public outrage started after the post graduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital premises. 

    “Our agitation will continue. This is the only way to get our demands fulfilled. How can people get inside the hospital and attack us even when the police are present? We can understand the actual motive of the vandalism,” a protesting doctor told PTI. 

    Non-emergency healthcare services at key state-run hospitals, including SSKM Hospital, Sambhunath Pandit Hospital, and Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, were severely disrupted due to the ongoing agitation. Private healthcare facilities across the state faced similar challenges. 

    Manipal Hospitals announced the suspension of routine OPD services in response to the IMA’s call. 

    A 31-year-old trainee doctor was reportedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last week. During a protest against the brutal incident in the early hours of August 15, a mob vandalized parts of the hospital. 

  • Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Prime Accused Taken for Medical Examination Amid Protests |

    In a significant development in the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case, Sanjay Roy, the prime accused, was taken for a medical examination on Friday. The crime, which involved the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor while she was on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, occurred on August 9. The arrest of Roy came swiftly, just six hours after a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate the heinous crime.

    On Thursday, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials attempted to take Roy to ESI Joka for a medical checkup. However, the van transporting him had to turn back midway due to intense protests by doctors at the hospital, which raised significant safety concerns. Subsequently, Roy was taken to Command Hospital, but the facility declined to conduct the medical examination. Eventually, Roy was brought to BR Singh Hospital in Sealdah, where the medical process was successfully completed.

    Nationwide Protests And Strike By Medical Community

    The brutal incident has sparked outrage across the medical community in India. Doctors and medical students, particularly junior doctors at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad, have staged protests demanding justice for the victim. In response to the tragedy, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide withdrawal of services by doctors practicing modern medicine. According to an official statement from the IMA, the strike is scheduled to begin at 6 AM on Saturday and will last until 6 AM on Sunday.
    In accordance with Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault, the identity of the victim has not been disclosed to protect her privacy. 

    This tragic event has not only shocked the nation but also led to widespread calls for stronger measures to protect the safety and dignity of healthcare professionals across India.