The family of a doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered last month has publicly accused the Kolkata Police of attempting to suppress the case and offering them a bribe. The allegations surfaced as the family joined protests organized by junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the body of their daughter was found on August 9.
The parents, speaking during the ongoing protests, claimed that from the outset, the police sought to downplay the severity of the incident. They alleged that they were not permitted to view their daughter’s body and were forced to wait at the police station while it was taken for post-mortem examinations. Upon returning the body, a senior police officer allegedly offered them money, which they rejected.
“The police, from the very beginning, tried to hush up the case. We were not allowed to see the body and had to wait at the police station while the body was taken for post-mortem examinations. Later, when the body was handed over to us, a senior police official offered us money, which we immediately declined,” said the father of the deceased doctor.
The case, which has stirred widespread outrage, was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the second week of August following an order from the Calcutta High Court. The transfer aimed to ensure an impartial investigation into the brutal crime.
Protests have been ongoing since August 10, with demonstrators from various sectors joining the junior doctors in demanding justice for the victim. The protests have highlighted the need for accountability and transparency in the handling of the case.
In a related development, the CBI has arrested Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on charges of alleged financial misconduct at the institution.
Additionally, the West Bengal Assembly recently passed a state anti-rape bill, which stipulates capital punishment for rape convicts if their actions result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state. For other perpetrators, the bill mandates a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Sources By Agencies
