Meanwhile, Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal admitted to security lapses that eventually led to the Hospital’s vandalism.
Goyal acknowledged that despite having “sufficient security presence,” the police were caught off-guard by the unexpected violence from the protesting crowd outside RG Kar Hospital in the early hours of August 15. He noted that even a deputy commissioner-ranked officer was injured during the unrest.
Here are top developments in the story:
CBI questions ex-principal of RG Kar College Sandip Ghosh
CBI brought the former principal of RG Kar College Sandip Ghosh for questioning in the doctor’s rape and murder case.
Ghosh also approached Calcutta high court seeking protection as he claimed that his life was under threat.
He had resigned as principal of RG Kar Medical College on Monday, claiming that he was being defamed on social media following the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9.
‘Sufficient security presence but … ‘:Kolkata CP admits to security lapse during midnight protest
Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal said that there were “sufficient security presence” during the midnight protests on Wednesday. However, he added that “we didn’t expect the crowd before RG Kar hospital to turn violent.”
Goyal said that 25 individuals have been arrested in connection with the ransacking of the hospital.
“As of now, we have made 25 arrests in relation to the vandalism at RG Kar Hospital on Wednesday night. Four more suspects were identified by netizens from our social media posts. The search for the remaining suspects is ongoing. Thank you once again for your support,” Kolkata Police said in a post on X.
Union minister Sukanta Majumdar detained during protest
Kolkata Police on Friday arrested Union minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar while he was protesting against the rape and murder incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.
The police took Majumdar and other protesters into custody.
Mamata demands justice for ‘raped & murdered’ doctor
Leading the protest, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee demanded justice for the “raped and muredred” doctor after the case was handed over to CBI on Wednesday.
She further blamed the BJP and the CPM for vandalisig and disrupting operations at RG Kar college after a group of about 40 people entered the hospital in the early hours of Thursday and ransacked the emergency department, nursing unit, and medicine store.
“The nexus between the Left and BJP should be exposed. The CPI(M) and the BJP are behind the vandalism of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They vandalized the hospital to destroy evidence of the ghastly crime,” she said at a rally.
“We want the truth to come out, but some quarters are spreading lies to mislead people. Attempts are being made to hide the truth by circulating fake news on social media. We condemn these activities. We want the culprits to be punished,” she added.
IMA makes 5 demands for doctors’ safety
Amid nationwide withdrawal of medical services for 24 hours starting August 17 6am, the Indian Medical Association put forth five demands for doctors’ safety.
The demands include:
- At policy level the reluctance to acknowledge the violence on doctors and hospitals has to change. A Central Act incorporating the amendments of 2023 in the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 into the draft Hospital Protection Bill of 2019 would strengthen the existing 25 state legislations. An Ordinance as in during the covid pandemic is in order.
- The security protocols of all hospitals should be no less than an airport. Declaring the hospitals as safe zones with mandatory security entitlements is the first step. CCTVs, deployment of security personnel and the protocols can follow.
- The 36 hours duty shift that the victim was in and the lack of safe spaces to rest and adequate rest rooms warrant thorough overhaul of the working and living conditions of the resident doctors.
- Meticulous and professional investigation of the crime in a timeframe and rendering of justice. Identify the hooligans of vandalism and award exemplary punishment.
- Appropriate and dignified compensation to the bereaved family commensurate with the cruelty inflicted
‘Who is she protesting against, herself?’: Opposition attacks Mamata
The opposition in the state including the saffron party and CPM attacked Mamata Banerjee over her protest rally.
“Who is she protesting against, herself?,” questioned Smriti Iran.
Himanta Biswa Sarma also criticised Banerjee saying, “The incident that happened in Kolkata is very sad and the people of West Bengal and the entire country are in a state of shock. Mamata didi should avoid doing politics over the matter. She should focus on finding out who was behind the incident and fixing the accountability.”
Asking Banerjee to not engage in blame game, CMP general secretary D Raja said, “What has happened in Kolkata is a heinous crime. The agitation has continued not just in West Bengal but across the whole country. Not only medical doctors and students have been protesting but women from other organizations have also joined the protest now. The West Bengal government needs to convince the people now on how the government has been taking strong action against the culprits and how it has been considering the demands made by the doctors and the other medical personnel.”
