'Close Doctor's Rape-Murder Case By Sunday': Mamata Tells CBI, Row Erupts Over Her Counterprotest Call

As the protests over trainee doctor’s rape and murder inside the premises of a Kolkata hospital intensified on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the Calcutta High Court order to hand over the probe to CBI and urged the agency to close the case by Sunday. Banerjee further demanded capital punishment for the culprit and ensured justice for the family of the victim.

The Chief Minister also slammed political parties for “indulging in cheap politics” and urged the protesting doctors to lift the cease work and join duties as healthcare services are badly impacted.

I urge doctors who have not joined the duty to resume the duty. 3 people have died including a minor and a pregnant woman.

Urging doctors to join their duty, Banerjee said, “If it makes you happy, I will touch your feet and request you to resume your duties to help people with medical assistance. 3 people have died, including a minor and a pregnant woman.”

Banerjee Hits Out at Opposition

The West Bengal Chief Minister further hit out at the Opposition parties — the CPI(M) and BJP — over their protests for allegedly trying to politicise the incident and fuel protests in the state, taking a cue from the student agitation in Bangladesh. The Chief Minister further announced that the Trinamool Congress will protest in all blocks, wards and all municipalities of state on August 17 against Baam-Raam (BJP-Left) conspiracy to defame Bengal.

Responding to Banerjee’s call for protest, BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya said that the Chief Minister’s announcement is shocking and insensitive and West Bengal will respond to her at the right time.

“Shameless TMC has announced a protest march on 17th Aug against the BJP, following its spirited campaign, demanding justice for the rape and murder victim in RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, Malviya said in a post on X, adding, “Shocking and insensitive as this is, none other than Mamata Banerjee has made this announcement. Is it a crime to raise voice for a young lady doctor, who has been killed in cold blood? Bengal will respond to Mamata Banerjee at the right time.”

TMC Demands Arrest of Malviya

Soon after Malviya’s response, TMC leaders hit back at the BJP leader and demanded his arrest for threatening Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“What do you mean by ‘respond at right time’? Are you planning of a violent attack on Didi and create anarchy in Bengal? Kolkata Police should look into the sinister motive of this vile man?” Kunal Ghosh tweeted.

“Will respond to Mamata Banerjee at the right time? What do you mean – are you threatening Mamata Banerjee and create unrest in Bengal? Administration should arrest this Rapists Recruiter immediately!” State spokesperson All India Trinamool Congress Sudip Raha wrote in a post.

Mamata Welcomes HC Order Granting CBI Probe

Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday welcomed the Calcutta High Court order granting a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

“We would abide by the Calcutta High Court’s order and extend all support to the CBI. We have no problem with CBI being handed over the case as we want it solved at the earliest,” she said.

The high court on Tuesday transferred the rape and murder case of the doctor to the CBI from the Kolkata Police.