Kolkata:

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital has found a crucial document showing that former principal Sandip Ghosh gave instructions to the state public works department (PWD) to conduct renovation in areas adjacent to the scene of the crime a day after victim’s body was recovered.

The body of the victim was recovered on the morning of August 9 from the seminar room within the hospital premises.

Sources said the investigating officials secured a crucial document showing that Ghosh issued the permission letter to state PWD to conduct renovation work in a room and toilet adjacent to the seminar hall, which is the scene of the crime.

The investigating officials have accessed that permission letter which bears the signature of Ghosh and is dated August 10, sources said.

Sources said that initially it was perceived that the instruction to PWD to start the renovation work was given by an administrative official of RG Kar under the instruction of Ghosh.

However, on accessing the permission letter it is clear how keen Ghosh was in getting the renovation completed.

On August 13 evening, just hours after a division bench of Calcutta High Court ordered CBI to take over the rape and investigation probe from Kolkata Police, the state PWD staff attempted the renovation work at a room adjacent to the seminar hall from where the body of the victim was recovered on the morning of August 9.

However, that renovation work could not be carried out following massive protests by the students’ fraternity within the hospital premises as soon as the work started.

Sources said that the investigating officials believe that since the document shows Ghosh’s keenness in getting the renovation done, it can be handy in establishing the links between the two parallel investigations by the agency — the first being on the rape and murder case and the second on the financial irregularities at RG Kar.

Incidentally, Ghosh is currently in CBI custody in connection with the financial irregularities case.

The protesting representatives from the state’s medical fraternity have been claiming that the incident at RG Kar was not an isolated case of rape and murder and the victim was killed as she became aware of the irregularities.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Lucknow:

BSP supremo Mayawati on Thursday said incidents of crime against women were “extremely worrying”, and asked political parties to rise above party politics and take “strict steps” to prevent them.

Her remarks come against the backdrop of the nationwide outcry over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and also cases of rape of girls in other parts of the country.

“The incidents of rape, murder and suicide, especially of innocent girls and women, happening in Bengal, Badlapur in Maharashtra, Bihar, and Kannauj, Agra and Farrukhabad districts of Uttar Pradesh are extremely sad and worrying,” the former chief minister said on X.

1. देश में कभी बंगाल, कभी महाराष्ट्र के बदलापुर, कभी बिहार में तो कभी यूपी के कन्नौज, आगरा व फर्रूखाबाद ज़िले आदि में भी मासूम बच्चियों नाबालिग़ व महिलाओं पर ख़ासकर रेप, हत्या व आत्महत्या आदि की हो रही घटनाएं अति-दुःखद व चिन्ताजनक। 1/2

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 29, 2024

“The Centre and all state governments should rise above party politics and take strict steps in this matter so that such incidents stop happening. Politics should not be done in its guise. This is the need of the hour and also in the interest of women,” she added.

2. केन्द्र व सभी राज्य सरकारें, इस मामले में दलगत राजनीति से ऊपर उठकर सख़्त कदम उठाएं, ताकि ऐसी घटनायें जल्दी होना बन्द हो, ना कि इसकी आड़ में राजनीति की जाए, यही समय की मांग है तथा यही महिलाओं के हित में भी है। 2/2

— Mayawati (@Mayawati) August 29, 2024

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Kolkata Police has extended prohibitory orders near the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for an additional week, until August 31.

The orders, which were first imposed on August 18, restrict meetings and gatherings of more than five people in the designated area.

Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Goyal on Saturday issued a statement confirming the extension of Section 163 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) around the hospital. The prohibitory orders cover the area from Belgachia Road-J K Mitra crossing to some parts of Shyambazar five point crossing belt in North Kolkata.

The extension is intended to prevent disturbances and maintain peace and order in the area. The decision follows ongoing unrest related to the recent rape-murder of a woman doctor at the hospital, which has led to significant agitation.

The order stipulates that any person violating these prohibitions will be subject to penalties under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kolkata:

Veteran Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, has now taken refuge in a cartoon by legendary Indian artist and humourist RK Laxman to express his anguish over the recent summons to him by Kolkata Police over his social media post on the rape and murder of a woman junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.

He has posted that cartoon on his official X handle, featuring a youth (arguably anyone raising their voice against any evil or injustice) being dragged by his shirt collar by a policeman through the street, with passersby watching the scene.

“Of course, you weren’t spreading rumours – the charge is you were spreading facts!” read the lines written on the cartoon created on December 26, 1962.

Mr Roy expressed his amusement by posting a “grinning” emoji along with the post.

pic.twitter.com/hC2g9ZLwVh

— Sukhendu Sekhar Ray (@Sukhendusekhar) August 23, 2024

Although Mr Roy did not make any explanatory statement on his social media wall, it is easily understood that his post was in relation to the recent summons issued to him by Kolkata Police over one of the posts on his social media wall, which he had to ultimately delete.

Earlier this month, Mr Roy had posted on his social media handle a demand for the custodial interrogation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, in connection with the probe in the rape and murder case.

After the Kolkata Police issued two notices to question Roy for allegedly spreading misinformation through a particular social media post, the veteran politician approached the Calcutta High Court seeking protection against coercive police action, including arrest.

Later on August 20, during the hearing in the matter at Calcutta High Court, Roy’s counsel informed the court that his client had agreed to take down the content that he posted on his X handle.

The West Bengal government counsel, thereafter, informed the court that since Roy had agreed to delete the post, the police would not take any action against him and would close the matter. On the same evening the post was deleted from his X wall.

It remains to be see what the police’s reaction to the latest post by the rebel MP will be.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi/Kolkata:

The controversial former head of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has been undergoing a gruelling questioning session in the probe into the rape and murder of a doctor. The CBI has been questioning Sandip Ghosh till midnight for the past three days and they have summoned him again today.

Here are some questions that the CBI has asked him over the past three days:

• Why was there such a hurry to declare this death a suicide?
• You are a doctor yourself. Did you not think it is important to keep the crime scene safe?
• On whose advice was the information given to the family and why was it devoid of facts?
• You must be well aware that tampering with evidence at the crime scene is a crime. Despite that, why did you not keep it safe till the investigation was completed?
• Why was the family of the doctor informed after several hours?
• Why was there a delay in showing the body to her family?
• What are the security arrangements in the hospital?
• Why did you resign immediately after the incident? What is the reason behind it?

Officials suggest the former principal is yet to give satisfactory answers to these questions.

Dr Ghosh, who had resigned two days after the incident, has also been asked about his steps immediately after the doctor’s body was found and about the sudden renovation of rooms near the seminar hall where the doctor’s body was found.

The CBI, which is also examining his call records and chat, has asked him to provide details of his phone calls before and after the incident that occurred on August 9. They are also planning to get his call and data consumption details from the service provider.

The rape-murder incident has sparked a massive wave of anger across the country with doctors suspending non-emergency duties and hitting the streets for justice.

Kolkata:
Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered last week, is echoing slogans for justice – day and night. The fallout has now taken a political turn with both BJP and Trinamool announcing rallies today.

Here are top 10 points in this big story:

Kolkata:

Amid nationwide uproar over the Kolkata hospital rape-murder, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a rally this evening to demand death penalty for the accused. She has given a Sunday ultimatum to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the central agency that has taken over the probe, to ensure that the accused is hanged till death by then.

With the protesters accusing the police of mishandling the case and the Trinamool of trying destroy evidence – a rally by the Chief Minister came as a surprise to many. Ms Banerjee holds the police and home portfolios in the state administration.

Trinamool MP and spokesperson Derek O’Brien clarified why the party chief will hit the streets today.

“It is hard to conceive of a more bestial, heinous crime than the murder and rape of a young woman that took place in Kolkata. The public outrage is entirely understandable. Thoughts and prayers with her family,” he said as he sought to justify the upcoming rally.

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“Why is Mamata Banerjee leading a rally on the RG Kar Hospital incident?” “Fair question,” he said.

“Because: CBI, which is now handling the case, must give daily updates on the investigation. The deadline given by the CM to Kolkata Police to complete the investigation was August 17. The same must apply to CBI,” the senior Trinamool leader added.

He pointed out that an accused was arrested by Kolkata Police and justice will happen only when CBI arrests all other involved and send the case to a fast-track court.

“CBI taking over the case shouldn’t lead to it being quietly buried. The urgent need of the hour is swift justice and the harshest punishment for the culprits. No one who committed this barbaric act must be spared,” added the quiz master-turned-politician.

It is hard to conceive of a more bestial, heinous crime than the murder and rape of a young woman that took place in Kolkata. The public outrage is entirely understandable. Thoughts and prayers with her family.

“Why is @MamataOfficial leading a rally on the RG Kar Hospital…

— Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) August 16, 2024

He also called for action against the mob that ransacked the hospital where the doctor was raped and murder. Sharing an update on police action, he said 19 people have been arrested so far.

The incident at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked protests and strikes by doctors across the country. The hospital was vandalised by a mob during a midnight protest two days ago.

Big stories today

Ms Banerjee had earlier vowed to hand over the rape-murder probe to the CBI if the police were not able to solve it by Sunday. The Calcutta High Court, however, was not ready to allow any “further loss of time” and asked the CBI to take over on Tuesday.

Shifting her ultimatum to the CBI, the Chief Minister had said the central agency must now complete the probe by Sunday.

Calling reports about his disappearance “fake”, the medical intern, allegedly missing since the day of the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder, today said that he is at the college hostel and cooperating with agencies.

The student, who NDTV has chosen not to name in view of the sensitivity of the case, said he is “under severe mental distress” and urged everyone to not spread “fake news” against him.  

The body of the woman post-graduate trainee, who was allegedly raped and murdered inside a seminar hall of the RG Kar hospital, was found on Friday morning. Doctors from hospitals across India have announced an indefinite strike.

“I want to clarify that I have been staying in hostel since the day of the incident and been co-operating in the investigation with the police. I am already under severe mental distress, and I request you to stop circulating this fake news,” the intern posted on Facebook. 

A civic volunteer, who posed as cop, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the case and has been sent to 14-day police custody.

At least three Public Interest Litigations (PILs) were also filed before the Calcutta High Court, demanding that the investigation be transferred to the CBI.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said police will have time till Sunday to solve the rape-murder case, failing which the CBI will take over the investigation.

Earlier today, the Principal, Dr Sandip Ghosh, who has been accused of victim-blaming, resigned, declaring that he “cannot take the humiliation” and alleged “political statements” against him.

“Students are being provoked to ensure my removal. I want the accused to be punished. I am being defamed. I have not made such remarks,” he told reporters.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has outlined steps being taken by the cops to solve this crime.

“We are certain… in the next four or five days, if there are more culprits, we will be able to arrest them,” he said, “We have started a helpline… doctors can give information by calling (and) can communicate anonymously… if they have suspicions.”

New Delhi:

Doctors of several hospitals across India have announced an indefinite strike to protest against the gruesome rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. Doctors in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and several other cities have announced that all elective services would be halted till a probe is completed in the case. The protesters are also demanding adequate security for all medical staff.

The announcement comes days after a postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata while on duty.

The body of the 32-year-old woman was found in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital in the West Bengal capital on Thursday night. The initial autopsy report stated that the victim was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and private parts. There were also injuries on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger and lips.

City Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the medical establishment on Sunday for the second time in three days and held a meeting with representatives of agitating junior doctors.

He claimed the probe is “transparent” and urged people not to spread rumours.

Police have arrested one person in the case, a civic volunteer who is not associated with the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, but used to frequent the place.

The man, Sanjoy Roy, had returned to his place and went to sleep before washing his clothes the next morning to destroy evidence, a police officer probing the case claimed.