The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is now probing the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has summoned five doctors for questioning in the case.
The Kolkata Police, meanwhile, arrested 19 people and detained three for the vandalism incident at the hospital during midnight protests by those seeking justice for the 31-year-old woman.
Unidentified miscreants forcibly entered the premises of the hospital shortly after midnight on Thursday (August 15) and vandalised portions of the medical facility, where a trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered last week. According to police, a group of at least 40 people posing as protesters entered the hospital premises, hurled stones at cops and vandalised property. They targeted the emergency department, nursing station and medicine store, while also damaging CCTV cameras and ransacking a stage where junior doctors have been demonstrating since August 9, police said.
CBI Summons Five Doctors For Questioning
The CBI special crime branch in Kolkata summoned five doctors for interrogation in connection with the case. Those summoned include suspended MSVP Sanjay Vashisth, head of the chest department Arunava Dutta Choudhary, associate professor of forensic medicine Rina Das, along with Molly Banerjee and Apurba Biswas from the forensic medicine department.
Forensic team reaches RG Kar’s emergency ward after vandalism incident
A team of forensic experts from the state police reached the hospital’s emergency ward after the incident of vandalism, which took place during the ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest march seeking justice for the 31-year-old doctor. Police had to use teargas shells to disperse the mob. A police vehicle and a few two-wheelers at the spot were also damaged in the incident while some officers were also injured in the violence.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: State Police Mobile Forensic Unit reached the emergency ward of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital which was vandalised by a mob during a protest by doctors and students over the rape-murder of a woman doctor. pic.twitter.com/GO92gQuWQU
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2024
Earlier in the morning, the Kolkata Police released several photos from the incident, identifying people who entered the medical facility and ransacked the emergency ward. In the photos posted on social media, the police encircled the faces of some people in the mob and sought information on them. “Information wanted: Anyone who can help identify the individuals circled in red in the images below is requested to do so, either directly to us or through your local PS,” a Facebook post read.
Nursing staff joins protest by junior doctors
The attack on the nursing station has also prompted nurses to join the junior doctors in their protest at the hospital. They staged protests against the violence, demanding enhanced security measures. “Such hooliganism inside a hospital is unacceptable,” one protesting nurse said.
Doctors said the attack was intended to demoralise their protests but only strengthened their resolve to seek justice for their colleague. In response to the attack, police have increased their presence around the hospital.
Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal, who visited the premises last night, said an investigation is underway. He mentioned that a “malicious media campaign” might have exacerbated the situation. “My men have also been injured in the attack… What have police not done to crack this case? But there has been a malicious media campaign that has been going on,” he said.
Political Parties Trying to Foment Trouble: CM Mamata
After the vandalism at the hospital, a political war of words broke out with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee accusing opposition parties of being behind the incident. She said she does not hold the students or doctors responsible for their protests and, instead, she accused certain political parties of attempting to incite trouble.
“Police are looking into the matter. I don’t have any complaints against the students or the agitating doctors. But, there are certain political parties trying to foment trouble. If you go through the video, you will get to see what happened,” she said.
She added: “The people who vandalised RG Kar hospital yesterday and created this ruckus are not connected to the student movement… they are outsiders, I have seen as many videos; I have three videos, in which some people are holding national flags, they are BJP people, and some are DYFI holding white and red flags. Yesterday, the police were also attacked… I would like to congratulate them that they did not lose patience, did not hurt anyone… Now the case is not in our hands, it is in the hands of CBI, if you have something to say, then tell CBI, we have no objection…”
West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose on Thursday described the vandalism at RG Kar as a “shame to civil society”. He visited the hospital in the afternoon to assess the situation and spoke with agitating doctors. “Yesterday’s vandalism is a shame to civil society. It’s a shame to the entire humanity that young girls are not protected. This bloodbath cannot be allowed anymore. This must stop,” he told reporters, adding, “I am with you and we will work together to solve this. I assure you justice. My ears and eyes are open.”