Kolkata rape-murder case: As doctors refuse meet with Mamata in absence of live telecast, CM says ‘will hand over video-record after SC nod’

Amid the continuing impasse, CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday made a surprise visit to the site where the junior doctors were protesting, and assured them that she would look into their demands and take action if anyone was found guilty.

Addressing the protesting doctors amid chants of 'we want justice' outside the Swasthya Bhawan in Salt Lake, Banerjee said she would not take any steps against them as she did not believe in suppressing a democratic movement.

However, after she left the site, the agitating doctors said they were not ready to compromise on their demands till discussions were held, indicating no immediate breakthrough in the impasse.

Accompanied by DGP Rajiv Kumar, Banerjee reached the site in Sector 5 around 1 pm, taking those present there by surprise.

She said she was spending sleepless nights as the medics were agitating on the road amid rains.

'I came to meet you as your 'didi' (elder sister) not as the chief minister,' she said.

'I assure you that I will study your demands and take action if someone is found guilty,' she added, urging the protesting doctors to return to work.

She also announced that patient welfare committees of all state-run hospitals were dissolved with immediate effect.

'This is my last attempt to resolve the crisis,' Banerjee said.

The medics have been camping outside Swasthya Bhawan, the headquarters of the state Health Department, since Tuesday with a host of demands, including better security at state-run hospitals and the removal of top officials over the rape and murder of the doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The junior doctors have been protesting for over a month, affecting the public healthcare infrastructure of the state. The government claimed that 29 people have died due to the protests allegedly after not receiving treatment.

(With PTI inputs)

VIDEO | Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) interreacts with junior doctors who are protesting in front of state health department headquarters in Salt Lake.

(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/0Tdzwrf3RR

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 14, 2024

After CM Banerjee addresses the protesting junior doctors, they have agreed to table discussions with the authorities.

'We are ready for any discussion with the government with our five points demands. It is not unjustified demands,' say agitating junior doctors.

CM requests agitating protesters, "I cannot force you. I can only appeal to you. I went for hunger strike for 26 days when CPIM was in power. This is my last attempt. I promise there will be no injustice."

CM Mamata Banerjee interreacts with junior doctors who are protesting in front of state health department headquarters in Salt Lake said "I assure you that I will study your demands, take action if someone is found guilty."

She further added, "I came to meet you as your 'didi' not as chief minister"

CPI(M) leader Kalatan Dasgupta alongwith another individual were arrested for allegedly conspiring to attack junior doctors protesting outside Swasthya Bhawan. The arrests followed the release of an audio clip by TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, suggesting a plot to defame the Mamata Banerjee government. The police initiated a suo motu case after the clip was made public. The protesting doctors are demanding better security and accountability following the rape and murder of a fellow trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The situation has heightened tensions between the government and the medical community, news agency PTI reported

CPI (M) leader Anadi Kumar Shaw says "We are fighting for justice for the lady doctor's murder at RG Kar. Secondly, the Police Commissioner who tampered with the evidence in this case must resign. Thirdly, Mamata Banerjee is sitting at the helm of the health department where corruption is rampant. We are demanding that Mamata Banerjee should resign as well. These are the three demands we are fighting for."
(PTI)

Prohibitory orders around the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in north Kolkata were extended till September 30, an officer said.

The orders, which were first imposed on August 18, restrict gatherings of more than five people in the designated area. The restrictions were imposed amid protests over the rape and murder of the doctor at the hospital.

The prohibitory orders issued under Section 163 (2) of BNSS would also be in place at the Shyambazar five-point crossing, besides the roads leading to the RG Kar hospital, said a notification.

'Carrying sticks, dangerous and lethal weapons are banned and any attempt to disturb peace and tranquillity will invite legal prosecution under Section 223 of the BNS,' it said.

The CISF was given the charge of the security of the hospital by the Supreme Court
(With PTI inputs)

Claiming that 29 people lost their lives during more than a month-long strike by protesting junior doctors in the state-run hospitals, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced a “token” compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the family members of each of the deceased patients.

“It is sad and unfortunate that we have lost 29 precious lives due to disruption in health services because of the long-drawn cease work by junior doctors… In order to extend a helping hand to the bereaved families, the state government announces a token financial relief of Rs 2 lakh to the family members of each deceased person,” the CM posted on her X handle.

The chief minister’s announcement came a day after the government’s talks with the protesting junior doctors failed to take off over the issue of live-streaming the meeting.

A local court here on Friday turned down CBI's appeal to conduct a narco analysis test on the prime accused in the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar hospital here, an officer said.

The arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, denied to undergo the test, he said. Roy had initially agreed to take the test but later changed his mind, CBI sources claimed.

The central probe agency had appealed to the city-based Sealdah court, seeking permission to conduct the test on Roy. "The accused did not agree to undergo the narco analysis test when the judge asked him about it," the officer said.

A forum of pro-TMC intellectuals on Friday expressed concern that the continued ‘cease work' by junior doctors for over a month is affecting the healthcare sector in West Bengal.

Holding a press conference, members of 'Desh Bachao Gano Manch' (Save the Country platform) quoted the state health department figure that claimed 27 people have so far died for alleged lack of treatment at state hospitals during the agitation of the medics.

Family members of several deceased persons were present at the press meet. Junior doctors have been on ‘cease work' since August 9 after the body of a post-graduate trainee, who was raped and murdered, was found in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The medics are demanding justice for the victim and stronger security measures at medical establishments.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh on Friday claimed that some opposition political forces have hatched a conspiracy to attack the protesting junior doctors to defame the Mamata Banerjee government and the ruling party of West Bengal.

The medics' sit-in outside Swasthya Bhavan, the state's health department headquarters, entered the fourth day on Friday. They are demanding removal of top officials of the department. PTI

BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Friday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to resign in light of ongoing protests related to the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Kesavan dismissed Banerjee's recent statements as 'political drama' and called for her immediate resignation. PTI

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien criticised the CBI over the delay in filing a charge sheet in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case. In a post on the social media platform X, Derek wrote,  "How long will the RG Kar victim's family have to wait for justice," O'Brien, the TMC's Parliamentary Party Leader in the Rajya Sabha, said in the post.The Supreme Court is monitoring the case, he said, adding, "CBI has the accused & all the evidence. Why is it not filing a chargesheet & starting trial?" "We all want swift justice. Why is CBI delaying the trial? We need answers."

On Thursday, protesters continued to press for demand for live-streaming of proceedings and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee waited for “over two hours”. Subsequently, the TMC chief apologised, offered to resign “for the sake of the people” and claimed the agitators wanted her “chair” not justice.

After West Bengal government failed to conduct talks with agitating doctors to resolve the RG Kar hospital impasse yesterday, demonstrations have resumed outside Swasthya Bhavan, health department on Friday. “We will continue our agitation despite wanting to resume our work, but not until our demands are met,”members of the protesting doctors’ forum told news agency PTI. A large number of police personnel has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order situation.

Follow this space for latest updates on the Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case