Bid to save Kolkata rape-murder accused raises questions, says Rahul; Don’t forget dismal record of Cong govts: TMC

The body of the junior doctor was found in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital on August 9, sending shockwaves across the country with healthcare services coming to a halt in West Bengal, resulting in long queues outside outpatient department (OPD) ticket counters in government hospitals, where senior doctors joined their junior colleagues in the protest. Kolkata Police had arrested a civic volunteer associated with the force, Sanjoy Roy in connection with the case.

“The way the layers of the cruel and inhuman act against her are being revealed, there is an atmosphere of insecurity among the doctors’ community and women. The attempt to save the accused instead of providing justice to the victim raises serious questions on the hospital and the local administration,” Gandhi said, amid ongoing nationwide protests by resident doctors and medical students at key government health facilities, seeking justice and speedy trial.

While asserting that he stands with the family of the victim in their unbearable pain, Gandhi said that “the culprits should be given such a punishment that it serves as an example in the society.”

In a post on X, he said: “This incident has forced us to think that if doctors are not safe in a place like medical college, then how can parents send their daughters outside for studies? Why are even the strict laws made after the Nirbhaya case unsuccessful in preventing such crimes?”

“Every party, every section of the society will have to hold serious discussions and take concrete steps on the continuously increasing incidents against women from Hathras to Unnao, and from Kathua to Kolkata,” he said.

Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh dubbed the allegations as baseless. “Before making such remarks, he should check and cross-check facts. He must not forget the dismal track record regarding women’s safety during the Rajiv Gandhi (former PM) regime and (previous) Congress governments at the Centre,” Ghosh said.

Former Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Wednesday held a protest rally against the incident and demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those involved. “The people of Bengal are distressed at the brutality of the crime on the woman doctor,” he said, adding, “It is not just the woman doctor, but Bengal’s culture, education and civilisation have been raped and murdered.”

Regarding CM Mamata Banerjee’s social media message on Kanyashree Day, wishing well for the girl child, he said, “She should first ensure the safety and security of women.”

Demanding a transparent and speedy investigation in the “horrific rape and killing of a doctor”, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said in a post on X, “Across the country there are increasing incidents of doctors and health care staff being exposed to violence and harassment in an overburdened healthcare system. This must be strictly addressed with immediately expanding public healthcare vastly, legislating effective laws and firm measures.”

On Monday, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had urged the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in West Bengal to take strict action and ensure justice in the case of alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor. In a post in Hindi on X, she had said, “The incident of rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College is heartbreaking”, while underlining that the safety of women at workplace was a big issue in the country and concrete efforts were needed for this.

Amid mounting pressure from students of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, its principal Dr Sandip Ghosh had resigned but the state government within hours shifted him to the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital as principal. The Calcutta HC gave Ghosh the option to submit a leave application by 3 pm Tuesday – he applied for a 15-day leave.

On Wednesday, a team of senior CBI officers along with forensic and medical experts reached Kolkata and began its investigation into the case.  With PTI inputs