‘Despicable, loss personal’ — As pressure mounts over doctor’s death, CM Mamata Banerjee promises action

The woman doctor’s body was discovered inside the seminar hall of the government-run R G Kar Medical College & Hospital Friday. She had been on duty the previous night.

One person has been arrested in the case.

The remarks come at a time when the pressure mounts on Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress state government to take immediate action that Opposition claims is one of rape and murder in the case.

“Their anger and demand are justified. I support it. Police have also accepted their demands,” she said.

Banerjee said she was at Jhargam when the body was discovered.

“However, I was keeping track of all the developments. I spoke to the family of the victim and assured them of proper action. I have directed for the case to be taken to a fast-track court. If needed, the accused will be hanged, even though I am not pro-capital punishment. But they should be given the strictest punishment,” she said.

Banerjee added that those who were protesting were “free to approach any other law enforcement agency” if they had no faith in the state administration. She was referring to the demands of getting a central agency to investigate the doctor’s death. The CM also said there would be a probe to find out if there was any negligence on the part of the hospital.

“We want proper and thorough investigation and stringent punishment for the culprits. Just as we have a responsibility, the hospital’s superintendent too has a responsibility. We will also probe if there was negligence on any part. Meanwhile, one accused has already been arrested. We have ensured that not a single doctor who is protesting faces any kind of problem,” she said.

At the same time, she also appealed to the doctor to resume their jobs.

“The doctors can keep protesting, but at the same time, they should also treat the patients… The person arrested in the case used to work there. There should be proper vigilance,” she said, adding that she would order the principal secretary and the police commissioner “if needed”.

Banerjee’s remarks come at a time when pressure is mounting on her establishment for action, with principal opposition BJP calling it a case of rape and murder.

While Kolkata Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigates the case, the hospital has set up its own 11-member internal inquiry committee.