Nearly 300 prominent figures condemn Mamata Govt’s handling of Kolkata medic’s rape-murder case
On Wednesday, a group of 295 eminent citizens—including retired judges, former diplomats, bureaucrats, and army veterans—issued an open letter condemning the Mamata Banerjee-led government for its alleged mishandling and attempts at cover-up.
This comes amid widespread demonstrations and protests by the medical community regarding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.
The eminent citizens, in the open letter, berated the Bengal government over multiple cases of violence against women in the state.
The letter accuses the West Bengal government of a “series of lapses” in addressing the heinous crime and criticizes the hospital authorities and state administration for their role in concealing the truth. The signatories express outrage at the government’s failure to support the victim and her family, arguing that the state has not taken adequate steps to ensure justice in the case.
The state’s apparent inclination to shield perpetrators rather than protect victims is a grave miscarriage of justice,” said the letter signed by Former Secretary Gopal Krishna and Former Ambassador Bhaswati Mukherjee.
The letter, spotlighting many incidents of state’s apathy, says that the horrific crime was first misclassified as a suicide. The victim’s parents were subjected to wait for several hours, construction work took place near the crime scene leading to potential compromise of crucial evidence.
The letter further said that it was only after the intervention by the Calcutta High Court that the state government transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), paving the way for a rigorous probe.
“The delayed handover cost precious time during which the actual perpetrators could have been apprehended, and vital evidence remained vulnerable to tampering – all due to the West Bengal administration’s inefficacy,” the letter said.
“Right from the violence during the election period, to the recent rapes, the law-and-order situation in the state needs serious introspection, and immediate corrective measures are required. Time and again courts have to intervene in these situations,” it said.
The scathing letter highlights the perceived negligence and lack of transparency surrounding the investigation, fueling ongoing protests and calls for accountability from both the medical community and the public. This significant intervention from respected citizens underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the tragic incident.
The group of former envoys, bureaucrats, judges, and army veterans has issued recommendations to improve safety for doctors following the Kolkata medic’s tragic case. Their suggestions include:
- Increasing patrolling and security in areas where doctors work night shifts.
- Providing separate and adequate washrooms for male and female doctors.
- Installing functional intercom systems with emergency SOS features in doctors’ rooms.
- Conducting thorough investigations of administrative heads to ensure staff safety.
- Reforming the system to address systemic failures that contribute to such tragedies.
The group emphasized that the incident has demoralized doctors and urged West Bengal policymakers to take decisive action to restore confidence and ensure the safety of healthcare workers.
The eminent citizens, in the letter, also shredded the Kolkata Police for a botched-up probe and the ‘irresponsible conduct’ in the entire episode.
“The Kolkata Police stood by as silent spectators during this assault, with allegations surfacing that attempts were made to suppress the doctors’ voices and conceal evidence. This incident highlights the prevailing apathy, misgovernance, and lack of accountability in Kolkata,” the letter said.
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Vote bank is stronger than water. Who care how many are shouting at her ? She has wider & lounder mouth than all put together. She is Mumtaz Begum. Past life karma vasanas manifested in her that is why she specialized in Islamic studies in this life. She has blessing of Allah.