West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a stern ultimatum to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), demanding swift action and capital punishment for those involved in the horrific rape and murder at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident has triggered nationwide outrage, and Banerjee’s decision to lead a rally has caught many by surprise.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the home portfolio in the state administration, has set a deadline of Sunday, August 18, for the CBI to complete its investigation and ensure the hanging of the guilty. “Our Kolkata Police has already completed 90 percent of the probe,” Banerjee stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Nationwide Protests and Accusations of Evidence Tampering
The tragic event has led to widespread protests across the country, with demonstrators accusing the police of mishandling the case and the Trinamool Congress of attempting to destroy evidence. The hospital was vandalized by an angry mob during a midnight protest just days after the incident, further intensifying public anger.
Mamata Banerjee’s rally comes in response to these mounting tensions and is seen as an effort to demand justice for the victim while addressing the accusations against her administration. Trinamool Congress MP and spokesperson Derek O’Brien defended Banerjee’s decision to take to the streets, stating, “The public outrage is entirely understandable. Thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family.”
Calls for Transparency and Swift Justice
O’Brien explained that the CBI, now in charge of the investigation, must provide daily updates to ensure transparency and accountability. He highlighted that the Kolkata Police had arrested one of the accused, but stressed that justice would only be served when all those involved are apprehended and tried in a fast-track court.
“CBI taking over the case shouldn’t lead to it being quietly buried,” O’Brien remarked, emphasizing the need for swift justice and the harshest punishment for the culprits. He also called for action against the mob responsible for vandalizing the hospital, noting that 19 arrests had been made so far.
The incident has sparked a wave of protests and strikes by doctors across India, with many expressing their frustration over the lack of security in hospitals. The Calcutta High Court, in response to the escalating crisis, ordered the CBI to take over the investigation, citing concerns about further delays in justice.
Mamata Banerjee had initially vowed to hand over the probe to the CBI if the police failed to solve the case by Sunday. However, the High Court’s directive has accelerated the process, ensuring that the central agency takes immediate charge.
As the nation awaits the outcome of this high-profile case, the pressure on the CBI to deliver justice swiftly has never been greater. Mamata Banerjee’s rally is a clear signal that her government will not tolerate any delay in bringing the perpetrators to justice.