Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Monday that the Kolkata Police have until Sunday to solve the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College. If the state police fail to make further arrests by the deadline, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will take over the case.
The Chief Minister’s ultimatum comes as political pressure intensifies from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Banerjee emphasizing her support for the state police, whom she praised as “the best in the world.” However, she also expressed willingness to involve the CBI, albeit with a pointed remark about the agency’s track record. “If there are more accused… and all are not arrested by Sunday… we will hand over the case to the CBI,” she said, adding that “even though their success rate is low,” referring to unsolved cases like the theft of Rabindranath Tagore’s Nobel Prize.
Banerjee made these comments after meeting the victim’s family, who are seeking justice for the tragic incident that has sparked nationwide outrage among medical professionals and political opposition. Last week, she also mentioned that she had no objection to a CBI probe, especially if it was the demand of the protesting doctors.
Following the Chief Minister’s announcement, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal assured that the police are actively working on the case and are confident of making more arrests within the next few days. “We are certain… in the next four or five days, if there are more culprits, we will be able to arrest them,” Goyal said. He also mentioned the launch of a helpline for doctors to provide information anonymously if they have suspicions related to the case.
The victim, a post-graduate trainee doctor, was found on Friday morning in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital. The initial autopsy report revealed that she had suffered severe trauma, with bleeding from her eyes, mouth, and private parts, as well as injuries to her leg, neck, hand, and lips.
Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who frequented the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the crime. According to investigators, Roy returned home after the crime, slept, and later washed his clothes in an attempt to destroy evidence. Bloodstains were found on his shoes during a police search.
In a related development, the hospital’s Principal, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, resigned after facing accusations of victim-blaming. Dr. Ghosh claimed he was being unfairly targeted and humiliated, stating, “The girl who died was like my daughter. I am also a parent. As a parent, I am resigning.”
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had earlier called for Dr. Ghosh’s suspension, criticizing his “misleading statements and carefree attitude” following the incident.
The case has led to nationwide protests by doctors, with medical professionals across India announcing an indefinite strike. Hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other cities have halted elective services, demanding a thorough investigation and increased security for all medical staff.
