Doctor's rape & murder in Kolkata: Case will be assigned to CBI if police fail to crack it by Aug 18, says Mamata Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 12

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that if the Kolkata police did not solve the rape and murder case of a doctor by August 18, the case would be transferred to the CBI.

After meeting the family of the doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last week, the CM directed the state police to crack the case quickly and said the government would demand the death penalty for the perpetrators. “We are trying our best to solve the case. I don’t know how this type of incident can happen in a hospital. If there are more accused and all are not arrested by Sunday, we will hand over the case to the CBI — even though their success rate is low,” she said. Meanwhile, Sandip Ghosh, principal of the medical college, has resigned taking moral responsibility.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, who was with the CM during the press meet, said three junior doctors and one house staff of the hospital had been summoned by the police so far. “All those who were near the place of occurrence of the crime are being summoned. We have already started a helpline. Doctors can anonymously call to tell us if they suspect someone and why,” he said.

Meanwhile, resident doctors from several hospitals across the country, such as AIIMS, Safdarjung and NIMHANS, have gone on an indefinite strike to show solidarity with the victim. They suspended elective services, including OPDs and OTs.

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) had announced nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals. FAIMA doctors’ association, along with the Indian Medical Association and FORDA, have demanded a CBI inquiry into the case.

“Our hearts are heavy with profound grief and shock over this heinous act. Even as time has passed, the wheels of justice have moved slowly. The investigation into this crime has yet to bring forth answers, and the lack of resolution only deepens our despair,” the AIIMS Delhi Resident Doctors Association said.