MY KOLKATA EDUGRAPH
ADVERTISEMENT
regular-article-logo Sunday, 08 December 2024

RG Kar rape and murder case: Protesting doctors demand for ‘transparency’ in CBI probe

The junior doctors on Monday led a march from the protest site in Esplanade — where medics are on a fast unto death — to Raj Bhavan

Samarpita Banerjee, Debraj Mitra Calcutta Published 15.10.24, 05:44 AM
The rally by junior doctors from Esplanade to Raj Bhavan on Monday.

The rally by junior doctors from Esplanade to Raj Bhavan on Monday. Pradip Sanyal

On the eve of the hearing of the RG Kar case at the Supreme Court, the protesting junior doctors demanded more “transparency” in the CBI probe into the rape and murder of their colleague.

The junior doctors on Monday led a march from the protest site in Esplanade — where medics are on a fast unto death — to Raj Bhavan.

ADVERTISEMENT

The governor’s residence was the destination because the doctors wanted to send a message to the central investigating agency.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case on Tuesday.

“We could not have any discussion with the governor. But we were able to submit a memorandum at Raj Bhavan listing our disappointments with the probe. We got to know from Raj Bhavan employees that the governor had said he would look into our demands,” Debasish Halder, a senior resident at Medical College Kolkata and one of the faces of the protest, said after coming out of Raj Bhavan.

“There is a genuine lack of confidence. The CBI has been handling the investigation in a trivial and shoddy manner. It took them 58 days to file a chargesheet. But the chargesheet has named only one person. We are extremelydisturbed. So we have organised this march,” said Rumelika Kumar, a postgraduate trainee at the All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health.

“We are looking forward to tomorrow’s hearing at the Supreme Court. We will keep an eye on the CBI’s submission. If we see the agency is still shoddy in probing the crime, we will build up more pressure,” she said.

Calcutta High Court had on August 13 handed the RG Kar probe to the CBI. On October 7, the agency submitted the first chargesheet in the case.

The letter to the governor, sent on behalf of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front, reads: “... the primary chargesheet was only issued against the civic volunteer. No chargesheet was issued against the other accused and arrested persons. Nothing could be found... regarding evidence tampering or possible engagement of others in the crime. This incompleteness has baffled us and might lead to an atmosphere of loss of confidence in the investigation process altogether.”

The letter says: “As the constitutional head of the state of West Bengal as well as the representative of the Union government, under whose jurisdiction the CBI operates, we.... would like to draw your attention regarding the matter. The non-transparency of the investigation and the incompleteness of the CBI chargesheet are very distressing for us.”

“The CBI is not sharing any information. We seek more clarity from the apex court as well as the investigating agency,” said Souptik Kabiraj, an intern at Medical College Kolkata.

People from various walks joined Monday’s march.

Five junior doctors were fasting at the protest site in Esplanade on Monday evening.

Four fasting doctors had to be taken to hospital as their condition turned critical. Tanaya Panja was taken to Medical College Kolkata on Monday evening.

Pulastya Acharya was taken to NRS Medical College and Hospital on Sunday night. He is being treated in the CCU and his condition is stable, said a doctor at NRS.

Anustup Mukherjee was taken to Medical College Kolkata on Saturday evening. “He is in the CCU. His condition has improved and he will be given solid food on Tuesday,” said an official at the medical college.

Aniket Mahata has been in the CCU of RG Kar since early on Friday.

“He is haemodynamically stable but still critical,” said one of the doctors treatingMahata.

Follow us on:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT