Kolkata rape and murder case: Mamata writes to PM Modi seeking central law on sexual assault, speedy trials

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. File | Photo credit: PTI

As the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) approached a Kolkata court seeking permission to conduct polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Sandip Kumar Ghosh and four other doctors, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a central legislation for speedy justice in sexual assault cases.

In her letter, Ms Banerjee highlighted the “regular and increasing” incidents of sexual assault across the country. Citing available data, she said that “more than 90 cases are occurring every day”, which she said is shaking the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation.

Kolkata doctor rape and murder case LIVE

The chief minister stressed that “such serious and sensitive issues need to be dealt with in a comprehensive manner” and suggested setting up of “special fast-track courts for speedy trials” of such cases. “Trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” she wrote.

While investigating the RG Kar case, the CBI has sought permission from a local court to conduct polygraph tests on Dr Ghosh and four other doctors. A polygraph test is also expected to be conducted on accused Sanjoy Roy. While Roy, a city police volunteer arrested by the Kolkata Police on August 10, is in CBI custody, the former director has been questioned by the agency in the last few days.

Violence at BJP rally

In Kolkata, clashes broke out outside Swastha Bhawan, the headquarters of the state health department, when a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally turned violent. All senior BJP leaders, including opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari and state BJP president Sukanata Majumdar, were present at the rally. Mr. Adhikari and state BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya were among those detained by the police. BJP supporters broke the barricades and dragged Mr. Majumdar away when the police tried to arrest him.

The BJP has demanded Ms Banerjee’s resignation. Mr Adhikari said only five people wanted to meet the health secretary, but the meeting was denied on the instructions of the chief minister, who holds the health portfolio. The BJP and other political and social groups have called for a march to Nabanna, the state secretariat, on August 27. The state government has moved the Calcutta High Court against the rally. The court will hear the petition on Friday.

CISF enters, officials exit

In the same vein, two companies of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have been deployed on the premises of RG Kar, as per the Supreme Court’s directions. Around 170 CISF personnel will guard the hospital which was ransacked by a mob in the early hours of August 15.

The state government has sacked three senior hospital officials, yielding to the demand of the protesting junior doctors. Manas Kumar Bandyopadhyay has been appointed as the new director, replacing Suhrita Paul, who has been appointed director of Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital. Despite the Supreme Court’s intervention, junior doctors have continued their strike at RG Kar Hospital and other government health institutions.

The parents of the deceased doctor, who met Governor CV Ananda Bose on Wednesday, alleged that attempts were made to tamper with evidence. The victim’s father said that on the day of his daughter’s cremation, the police had asked the driver to drive faster so that the cremation could take place earlier.