kolkata doctor case full story
The tragic case of the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has sparked widespread outrage across West Bengal and beyond. On August 16, 2024, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took part in a protest rally in Kolkata to condemn the horrific incident. Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded her resignation, accusing her of failing to ensure the safety of women in the state, calling her “Mamata, the destroyer.”
Nationwide Protests and Strikes
The case has triggered nationwide strikes and protests, particularly among students and junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, where the incident occurred. Lawyers have also joined the protest, adding to the growing pressure on the state government. Demonstrators are demanding justice for their female colleague, who was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the hospital on August 9.
The situation escalated on August 14, when a mob vandalized the protest site and the hospital campus, leading security forces to intervene and disperse the crowd. In response to the unrest, the Kolkata Police have imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC), prohibiting large gatherings around RG Kar Medical College & Hospital for seven days, starting August 18, to maintain law and order.
Supreme Court Intervention
The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the case, as reported by ANI. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will hear the matter on August 20. The Court’s involvement underscores the gravity of the situation, with many across the nation awaiting justice.
CBI Investigation and Kolkata Police Action
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a probe into the case, and on August 18, the investigation team conducted 3D laser mapping in the Emergency ward of RG Kar Medical College to gather critical evidence.
At the same time, the Kolkata Police have issued summonses to several prominent individuals, including former BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and two well-known doctors, Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subarna Goswami, for allegedly spreading rumors and revealing the identity of the victim. A total of 57 individuals have been summoned for sharing incorrect information about the incident, adding to the complexity of the investigation.
Dr. Sarkar and Dr. Goswami have been asked to appear at the Kolkata Police Headquarters in Lalbazar on Sunday at 3 pm for questioning.
Political and Social Repercussions
The case has become a flashpoint in West Bengal politics, with the BJP intensifying its attacks on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The opposition party is demanding her resignation over what they describe as a failure to protect women in the state. Protests have continued to swell across Kolkata and beyond, as calls for justice grow louder.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has joined protestors to express solidarity and condemn the crime, as she grapples with mounting pressure from both the public and opposition parties.
This tragic incident has highlighted the urgent need for action to ensure the safety of women, not only in West Bengal but across India, as the nation waits to see how justice will be served.
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