Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Calcutta High Court Addresses Vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: On Friday, the Calcutta High Court addressed the vandalism that occurred at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on the night of August 14, during a midnight protest against the rape and murder of a trainee female doctor.
The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court stated that the court took up the matter after receiving emails concerning the vandalism at the hospital, as reported by Live Law.
“This is a complete failure of the state machinery. Despite the presence of the police, they were unable to protect their own officers. It’s a sorry state of affairs. How can doctors work without fear in such conditions?” the Chief Justice remarked, criticizing the West Bengal government.
He further added, “You impose Section 144 of the CrPC for any reason. With such chaos occurring, the area should have been cordoned off.”
“7,000 people don’t just walk in,” he pointed out.
The Kolkata Police reported that nearly 40 individuals, disguised as protestors, entered the hospital premises, vandalized property, and hurled stones at police officers, prompting the police to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The miscreants, armed with sticks, bricks, and rods, vandalized the Emergency Ward, nursing station, and medicine store, as well as a section of the Out Patients Department (OPD) at the hospital, according to the police. Several CCTV cameras in and around the area were destroyed, a police vehicle was overturned, and multiple two-wheelers were damaged by the vandals. Some police officers also sustained injuries.
The investigation into the death of the trainee doctor has been transferred from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following orders from the Calcutta High Court.