“Will hand over the case to CBI if…”: Mamata Banerjee Sets Deadline for Kolkata Police on RG Kar PGT Doctor's Rape and Murder Case

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday set a deadline of Sunday for the state police to crack the case of the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. If the state police fail to make headway in the investigation by then, Banerjee has vowed to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further probe. This comes after the Chief Minister met with the family of the victim earlier today.

“Police, Dog Squad, Forensic department and other teams are on the job. Investigation has been started to arrest the accused and police are trying to arrest him as early as possible. If the Police are unable to solve this case by Sunday, then we will not keep this case in our hands we will hand it over to CBI,” said the West Bengal Chief Minister after meeting with the family of the victim.

Previously, Mamata Banerjee has said that her government would have no objections to a CBI probe if the protesting medical professionals and the family of the victim demand it. “If they do not trust the West Bengal government, they can approach any investigating agency; we have no objection”, Banerjee had said.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Vinet Goyal, responding to the deadline set by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, outlined the various measures being taken by the police to solve the heinous crime, including enhanced investigation efforts and forensic analysis, to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice swiftly. "We are certain... in the next four or five days, if there are more culprits, we will be able to arrest them. We have started a helpline... doctors can give information by calling (and) can communicate anonymously... if they have suspicions,”said the Kolkata Police Commissioner.

As protests over the brutal rape and murder of the PGT doctor enters into the fourth consecutive day, R G Kar Medical College and Hospital’s Principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh, who has been accused of victim blaming, resigned from his post this morning. “I cannot take this insult anymore. All the allegations raised against me are false and fabricated. 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. The girl who died was like my daughter. I am also a parent. As a parent, I am resigning”, said Dr. Ghosh.

Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer in the welfare organisation has been arrested by the Kolkata Police on Saturday as the main accused in the rape and murder of the PGT trainee doctor. Police reports indicate that Sanjay Roy went home and washed his clothes after the alleged attack, but blood was later found on his shoe. In addition, the police have summoned three junior doctors and one housekeeping staff member who were present on the night of the murder.

The victim, a female PGT doctor was found dead in a semi-nude position in the seminar hall of the hospital, having gone there to rest after watching Olympic Games and a meal with colleagues. The initial autopsy report indicated harrowing details of the injury. As per the report, crime took place between 3am and 6 am. The tragic event has led to widespread protests from the medical fraternity across India; trainee doctors in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata have announced an indefinite strike and said that all elective services will be halted till a probe is completed.