Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Monday that the police have until Sunday to solve the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. If the case remains unresolved by then, it will be handed over to the CBI. Banerjee, who praised the state police as “the best in the world,” set the deadline amidst mounting political pressure from the BJP.
“If there are more suspects and all are not apprehended by Sunday, we will transfer the case to the CBI,” the Chief Minister stated after meeting the victim’s family. She also took a jab at the federal agency, which is overseen by the BJP, remarking, “We will hand it over despite their low success rate,” alluding to cases like the unsolved theft of Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel Prize, which has yet to see “justice.”
Last week, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also mentioned that she has no objections to the CBI, which operates under the BJP-led central government, taking over the investigation, especially if that is what the protesting medical professionals demand. “If the agitating students prefer an investigation by another agency, we are not opposed to it,” she stated.
Following the Chief Minister’s deadline, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal provided an update on the ongoing investigation. “We are confident that within the next four or five days, if there are additional suspects, we will apprehend them,” he said. “We have established a helpline where doctors can provide information anonymously if they have any suspicions.”
“We are maintaining contact with the victim’s family and will keep them informed of our progress. If, after that, the family remains unsatisfied, we will proceed according to Madam (Ms. Banerjee)’s instructions,” he added.
The doctor’s body was discovered on Friday morning in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital. The initial autopsy report revealed that the victim had bleeding from her eyes, mouth, private parts, as well as injuries on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger, and lips.
Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who was a regular presence at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the crime. The incident has ignited nationwide protests by doctors and drawn strong reactions from political opposition parties.
According to a police officer involved in the investigation, Sanjoy Roy, the accused, returned home after the crime, slept, and then washed his clothes the next morning in an attempt to destroy evidence.
This morning, the hospital’s Principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who faced accusations of victim-blaming, resigned, stating that he “cannot take the humiliation” and citing “political statements” made against him.
Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who resigned this morning, claimed that efforts to have him removed were driven by provocation and defamation. “I want the accused to be punished. I am being unfairly targeted and have not made any such remarks,” he told the media. “The deceased was like a daughter to me. As a parent myself, I am stepping down.”
Previously, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had criticized Dr. Ghosh and called for his suspension. “His misleading statements and lackadaisical attitude in the wake of this tragedy reveal his disregard for the victim,” Adhikari wrote on X.
In response to the incident, doctors from hospitals across India have declared an indefinite strike.
Doctors in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other cities have announced a halt to all elective services until the investigation is concluded. The protesters are also calling for enhanced security measures for all medical staff.
