Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case Highlights: Stalemate continues as junior doctors reject CM Mamata’s call for dialogue

Hundreds of junior doctors marched towards Swasthya Bhawan, headquarters of the state health department in Salt Lake with their demands which include top health department officials and Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal. A section of senior doctors too joined the march. “Our demands are unfulfilled and justice is not meted out to the victim,” says the protesting doctors, according to PTI reports. After SC's order, Junior doctors gave ultimatum to the state government to heed their demands by 5 pm or their will continue their agitation.

R G Kar Medical College has issued notices to 51 doctors, house staff, and interns, citing their alleged involvement in intimidating behavior. These individuals, including senior resident doctors and interns, have been barred from campus and college activities until they appear before an inquiry committee on September 11. This action follows complaints about their behavior and their connections to Sandip Ghosh, the former principal implicated in a recent rape and murder case. The college's Special Council Meeting addressed these concerns, highlighting the need to address the intimidation issues affecting the institution's environment.

A sit-in protest was held on behalf of the West Bengal State Chhatra Parishad on the initiative of State Chhatra Parishad President Priyanka Chowdhury on Tuesday to demand justice in the brutal incident of RG Kar. 

The mother of the 31-year-old trainee doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital on August 9, on Monday said she was disappointed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks urging people to join the Puja festivities.

Speaking to mediapersons, the mother said: “If people want to get into a festive mood, I can’t say anything. But I know they all consider my daughter as their own. We used to have Durga Puja at my home. My daughter herself did the puja and all the preparations. Durga Puja will never be the same for me, I know. She (the CM) is appealing to people to return to the festive mood. I want to ask if this had happened to someone from her family, would she have said the same thing?”

Junior doctors in West Bengal have decided to continue their strike and 'cease work' in protest of the alleged rape and murder of a fellow medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Despite a Supreme Court order to resume duties by 5 pm on Tuesday and assurances from the state government that no punitive measures would be taken, the doctors are demanding the resignation of the state's health secretary and director of health education. "Our demands are unfulfilled and justice is not meted out to the victim" says the protesting doctors, according to PTI reports. They are planning to take out a rally to 'Swasthya Bhavan' – the headquarters of the health department in Salt Lake – on Tuesday afternoon.

Decoration accompanying a Ganpati idol installed as part of the 10-day festival in a household in Kalina in Mumbai is garnering attention as it is themed on the issue of violence against a women, which has come to the fore due to the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.

The incident has triggered national outrage, with doctors going on strike recently in several states and citizens' groups holding protests daily seeking justice for the victim.

"The Kolkata horror and some other incidents across the country has raised concern about safety of women. So I chose this theme for the decoration for Ganpati festival this time," said Shubham Vanmala. PTI

Most Durga Puja organisers on Monday said while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged protesters seeking justice for the murdered RG Kar doctor to prepare for the festival, they are hopeful that the celebrations and agitation will continue simultaneously.

Santosh Mitra Square Puja committee, known for its large-scale celebrations, said while the festival will proceed as usual, they will also advocate for justice for the murdered postgraduate trainee doctor.

Debashis Kumar, organiser of Tridhara Sammilani Puja and a senior member of the 'Forum for Durgotsav,' told PTI, "The Chief Minister has made an appeal and we are moving forward with our preparations for the festival, which is just a month away." Banerjee had previously urged organisers to prepare for the festival despite the recent tragic incident.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that the Centre was conspiring over public outcry involving the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at a state-run hospital last month.

She also claimed that some Left parties were involved in it. Speaking at an administrative review meeting at the state secretariat 'Nabanna', Banerjee also claimed she had never offered money to the deceased doctor's parents, dismissing a campaign that the family members of the postgraduate trainee were requested to accept compensation.

The chief minister took the opportunity to urge people to "return to festivities" as Durga puja is round the corner.

“If you stay on the roads every night, elderly people suffer from sleep deprivation because of noise pollution. We haven't acted on state pollution control board norms. One month has passed. I request you to return to festivities and demand that the CBI completes investigations at the earliest,” she said. PTI

Demanding justice for the deceased Kolkata medic, members of several Left Front organisations on Monday marched to the city police headquarters at Lalbazar and accused the state government and the ruling TMC of attempting to shield the actual perpetrators.

During the rally, activists of DYFI, SFI, and other Left groups chanted slogans demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal.

The processionists, who pushed against barricades and attempted to scale an iron wall of Lalbazar, carried placards featuring the image of the woman medic in red and black hues, with the slogan "We will not rest until your tormentors receive maximum punishment." A strong police presence and RAF were stationed behind the barricades at the police headquarters to maintain order.

The BJP on Monday pressed for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation, saying her "dirty face" was exposed in the Supreme Court during a hearing on a case pertaining to the rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor in Kolkata.

The remarks came after the apex court voiced concern over the absence of a key document that was needed for the postmortem of the trainee woman doctor raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, and asked the CBI to investigate it.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also flagged at least a 14-hour delay by the Kolkata Police in registering an FIR in the incident and directed the CBI to submit a fresh report on the probe by September 17. 

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the West Bengal government to liaise with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and ensure accommodation and availability of security gadgets needed by its personnel deployed at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata by today evening.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud directed the state government to nominate a senior officer from the home department and a top CISF officer to act jointly and ensure that all three companies of the central paramilitary force are provided proper accommodation.

The top court noted the Centre's submission that one company of the CISF has been accomodated at RMA Quarters in RG Kar College, a Kolkata Municipal Corporation School and at Indira Matri Sadan.

"Arrangements have been made for providing six buses and four trucks and three light motor vehicles. We direct the state government to provide all requisition by 5 pm and security gadgets by 9 pm," the bench said.

The Supreme Court on Monday voiced concern over the absence of a key document that was needed for the postmortem of the medic raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, and asked the CBI to investigate into it.

The top court also directed the protesting resident doctors in West Bengal to resume work by 5 pm on Tuesday and said no adverse action shall be taken against them on resumption of work.

The court passed the direction after the West Bengal government assured it that no action, including punitive transfers, shall be taken against the protesting doctors on resumption of work. PTI

BJP youth wing activists on Monday held a demonstration outside the office of the deputy commissioner of the Kolkata Police north division, demanding justice for a doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at a hospital here last month.

Hundreds of BJP Yuva Morcha North Kolkata unit workers marched towards the office of the DC, North. The activists led by BJP leader Sajal Ghosh demanded the removal of Deputy Commissioner (North) Abhishek Gupta, under whose jurisdiction the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital falls, and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal

The Trinamool Congress hailed the Supreme Court direction asking protesting doctors in West Bengal to resume work by 5PM on Tuesday and said the primary duty of the medics is to save lives and this commitment cannot be compromised.

Within an hour of the Supreme Court's hearing on the RG Kar incident, a team of CBI officials has arrived at the crime scene.

Speaking about the protests against the alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor ar RG Kar, Medical College CM Mamata Banerjee said: "It is a conspiracy by Centre, some Left parties also involved."

"Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal offered to resign after RG Kar protests but we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga Puja," says Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"If the doctors report for duty on or before 5 pm tomorrow then no adverse disciplinary action shall be taken against them. All complaints on safety and security shall be promptly attended to. However, if there is continuous abstaining from work then disciplinary action can be taken against them and they cannot be oblivious to the general concerns of the community whom they are intended to serve."

"There is a grievance of the state that resident doctors have not resume work due to which healthcare system is in crisis. state of WB must take steps to create confidence in the minds of doctors that their concerns with regard to safety and security are being attended to. District collectors and SP of police shall take look into the situation and ensure necessary conditions are created for ensuring safety and security of doctors of govt medical colleges and hospitals which include creation of restrooms for male and female doctors, installation of CCTVs," says CJI.

"There was at least a 14-hour delay by Kolkata Police in registering FIR in rape and murder incident," observes SC.

SC has directed for the immediate removal of all photographs of RG Kar Hospital rape-murder victim from all social media platforms.

"CISF has to ensure that entry into emergency ward is regulated and no civic volunteers cannot be allowed without valid ID cards.. please ensure that doctors are safe in their work place," says CJI.

CJI directs that all requisition, security gadgets needed by CISF should be handed over to it today.

"We direct an officer of the home department and the CISF shall jointly ensure that all companies of CISF are provided accommodation within the vicinity of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital," says CJI.

CJI Chandrachud has asked the CBI to submit a fresh status by next week. Matter will be taken up on Tuesday, 17 September.

CJI Chandrachud is seeking clarification on the victim's time of death and the 'unnatural death' entry made thereafter. 

Kapil Sibal for West Bengal: "A status report has been filed. State health department has filed a report. 23 people have died with doctors not working."

The bench is perusing the status report by CBI.

BATTLING PUBLIC protests and Opposition attacks over the R G Kar junior doctor’s rape and murder last month, the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal came under fire from within on Sunday, as the party’s Rajya Sabha member and former Prasar Bharati CEO, Jawhar Sircar, announced his decision to resign, citing the “faulty handling of the most spontaneous public movement”.

In his letter to Banerjee, which he posted on X, Sircar also flagged the issue of corruption and the “increasing strong-arm tactics of a section of leaders” in the Trinamool Congress. He said he had “decided to resign from Parliament and also from politics altogether”.

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Sunday asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to convene an “emergency” Cabinet meeting “to address public grievances” and consider the demand for the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. The protesting junior doctors have been seeking the removal of Goyal, alleging that Kolkata Police tried to cover up the rape-murder case since the onset of the probe on August 9.

The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the case related to the murder and alleged rape of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Centre has recently filed an application in the apex court alleging “unpardonable” non-cooperation by the West Bengal government in extending logistical support to the CISF, tasked with providing security at the hospital.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday (September 9) the case related to the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, news agency PTI reported. As per the cause list updated on the top court's website, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra will hear the case, which was initiated by the SC on its own. 

The Union Ministry oh Home Affairs had recently filed an application, alleging "unpardonable" non-cooperation by the West Bengal government in extending logistical support to the CISF, which has been tasked with providing security at the hospital.

Jawhar Sircar, a retired IAS officer, in his resignation letter to Mamata Banerjee claimed that corruption by a section of leaders of his party and lack of action against them was one of the reasons for his decision.

"I have suffered patiently for a month since the terrible incident at RG Kar Hospital, and was hoping for your direct intervention with the agitating junior doctors, in the old style of Mamata Banerjee. It has not happened and whatever punitive steps that government is taking now are too little and quite late," he said in the letter.

"I think normalcy may have been restored in this state much earlier, if the caucus of the corrupt doctors was smashed and those guilty of taking improper administrative actions punished immediately after the scandalous incident happened." 

'While thanking you sincerely for giving me such a great opportunity to represent the problems of West Bengal as an MP in the Rajya Sabha, I must inform you that I have decided to resign from parliament and also from politics altogether...,' Jawhar Sircar wrote to Mamata Banerjee

In 2016, Sircar quit as Prasar Bharati CEO, four months before the end of his tenure, over his disagreements with the BJP-led Central government. Sircar made his entry into Kolkata's Presidency College when the city's campuses saw an upswing of Naxalbari uprising, radicalising an entire generation of young undergraduates.However, Sircar was not moved by the uprising and rather was bemused by at the acts of violence committed by the “young Che Guevaras”.

Back in 2022, Jawhar Sircar had spoken against the 'rotten section' of his party TMC, which riled up several party members then. He had made the remarks after cash was recovered from the apartments of Arpita Mukherjee, an aide of former minister Partha Chatterjee.

Jawhar Sircar, the bureaucrat-turned-MP entered the Rajya Sabha as TMC MP in 2021. Between November 2008 and February 2012, he was the Culture Secretary, before joining Prasar Bharati as its CEO in 2016. 

Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar has written a letter to Mamata Banerjee announcing his resignation from the Trinamool Congress party in protest against the RG Kar rape and murder case.

Thousands of people were expected to hit the streets of West Bengal on Sunday as various demonstrations, including another 'Reclaim the Night' protest, were scheduled to be held seeking justice for the doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital a month ago.The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor was found at the state-run hospital in north Kolkata on the morning of August 9.

Noted people from different fields, including musicians, artistes, painters and actors, would join the 'Reclaim the Night' demonstration, which would start at 11 pm "to awaken the ruler", social activist Rimjhim Sinha said.

As part of the demonstration, people would gather at various intersections, crossings and roundabouts. While there will be multiple gatherings from Gol Park to Garia along the SC Mallick Road in south Kolkata, a march has been planned from Sodepur to Shyambazar along the BT Road in the north, one of the organisers said.

With PTI inputs