The Ministry of Home Affairs has sent a letter to the Chief Secretary of West Bengal regarding the deployment of CISF personnel in the state in response to escalating protests over the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The letter comes in the wake of unabated protests since August 9, when a 31-year-old postgraduate student was found brutally raped and murdered in the Kolkata hospital. On August 14, a violent mob stormed the College, vandalising the property while the police stood by as silent spectators.
Protests have erupted nationwide in response to the brutal incident, with citizens demanding swift justice. Following an investigation, the police arrested a civic volunteer from the Kolkata Police Disaster Management Force stationed near the medical college. The accused, described as a womaniser and domestic abuser, confessed to the crime.
Dissatisfied with the state police’s handling of the case, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 13, 2024, citing concerns about potential evidence tampering.
On August 18, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the case. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, criticised the state government, Kolkata police, and the college administration for their mismanagement of the investigation and the vandalism at the hospital on August 14. The court established a national task force to ensure the safety of doctors in the workplace and requested the protesting doctors to return to work.
Additionally, the court ordered the CISF and CRPF to provide security at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Kolkata police directed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also the state home minister and health minister, have been going on a threatening spree against people who are vocally criticising the state government about the tragedy.
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