NEW DELHI: The CBI alleged in the Supreme Court on Thursday that there was an attempt to cover up the rape and killing of a post-graduate medic at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital by the local police as the crime scene was altered by the time the federal agency took over the probe.
Appearing in the court on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that senior doctors of the hospital as well as the victim’s colleagues had asked for videography, which means even they had felt that there was a cover-up.
“We entered the probe on the fifth day. Before that, whatever was collected by the local police was given to us. The investigation itself was a challenge because the scene of offence was altered. The FIR was registered only after the (victim’s) cremation at 11:45 pm.
“First, the parents of the victim were informed by the deputy superintendent (of the hospital) that she was not well. When they reached the hospital, they were told that she had committed suicide….. Fortunately, the colleagues of the deceased insisted for videography. This suggests that they were suspecting a cover-up,” Mehta told the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.
The solicitor general further submitted that when a call was made to the Tala police station in the morning of August 9, the doctors told the cops that the victim was unconscious, although she was already dead.
Appearing in the court on behalf of the West Bengal government, senior advocate Kapil Sibal opposed Mehta’s submissions, saying everything was videographed and nothing was altered at the crime scene.
Sibal said the Kolkata Police followed the procedure scrupulously and the CBI’s status report only attempts to muddy the waters.
He said the CBI must inform the court what progress it has made in the case in the last one week.
During the hearing, Mehta criticised Sibal for allegedly laughing while he was pointing out the gaps in the registration of the FIR by the police.
“A girl has lost her life in the most inhuman and undignified manner. Somebody has died. Do not at least laugh,” Mehta told Sibal.
The solicitor general said this is not an attempt to muddy the waters but to remove mud from the waters because the situation involved is delicate.
Sibal said everybody acknowledges that the incident is “tragic and barbaric”.
Terming the incident “horrific”, the apex court had excoriated the West Bengal government over the delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands of miscreants to vandalise the state-run hospital.
The rape and killing of the junior doctor in a seminar hall of the hospital has sparked nationwide protests.
The medic’s body with severe injury marks was found inside the seminar hall of the hospital’s chest department in the morning of August 9. A civic volunteer of the Kolkata Police was arrested in connection with the case the following day.
On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14.

Resident Doctors Associations call off strike
NEW DELHI: The Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) called off their strike on Thursday in response to the appeal and direction of the Supreme Court.
The RDA has been protesting, demanding justice for the woman postgraduate trainee (PGT) doctor, who was brutally raped and murdered in West Bengal, and Central Protection Act (CPA) for healthcare professionals to ensure their safety.
The RDA, Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) also called off the strike.
In a statement, the RDA AIIMS, New Delhi said, “In the interest of the nation and in the spirit of public service, the RDA, AIIMS, New Delhi, has decided to call off 11-day strike. This decision comes in response to the appeal and direction of the Supreme Court. ”
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Supreme Court for taking cognizance of the RG Kar Medical College incident and addressing the broader issue of safety and security for healthcare workers across the country. We also commend the formation of the National Task Force (NTF) to ensure that these concerns are addressed promptly and effectively,” it said.
The RDA AIIMS also urged the authorities to strictly adhere to the directives issued by the apex court.
“We appreciate the court’s directive that no punitive action be taken against the protesting doctors. We thank everyone who supported us in our pursuit of justice. Our commitment to our responsibilities remains steadfast, and we will continue to advocate for the rights and safety of healthcare workers through engagement with various authorities, ministries, institutional heads, members of the NTF, and the Supreme Court and our demand for CPA,” the statement said.
The AIIMS RDA further said, “Our primary responsibility- ‘patient care’ remains our utmost priority, and we are dedicated to upholding it. We stand united in our mission. We will continue our struggle through symbolic protest after duty hours till justice is served and implementation of safety guidelines.”
Notably, the AIIMS on Thursday urged the protesting resident doctors to resume their duties in the interest of patient care.
In a statement, the RDA, RML said, “In view of the developments with respect to our demands, and our concerns being addressed by the SC, we hereby declare the strike to be withheld.We hereby have decided to resume all our duties.”
“We have requested residents to resume services from 23rd August, 8 am onwards. However, we emphasise that our solidarity for the cause remains unwavering, and we will continue to support ongoing efforts to improve the safety and rights of our residents,” it said.
Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has decided to call off the strike following positive directions from the Chief Justice of India. ”We welcome the acceptance of our prayers for interim protections & the necessary steps to enhance security in hospitals. United, We will continue to fight legally,” it said in a statement.

Mamata writes to PM Modi, demands stringent rape laws and fast-track justice
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding stringent central legislation with exemplary punishment for perpetrators of rape, a senior official said here.
Alapan Bandopadhyay, Chief Advisor to the West Bengal Chief Minister, read the letter at a press conference.
Banerjee, also the Trinamul Congress supremo, wrote the letter in the backdrop of countrywide protests over the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Calcutta earlier this month.
Noting the regular occurrence of rape cases throughout the country, Banerjee highlighted that, according to available data, nearly 90 rape cases occur daily. In many cases, rape victims were murdered.
“It is horrifying to see this trend. It shakes the confidence and conscience of society and the nation. It is our bounden duty to put an end to it so that women feel safe and secure. Such a serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed comprehensively through stringent central legislation that prescribes exemplary punishment for those involved in these dastardly crimes,” the letter read.
Banerjee also proposed the establishment of fast-track special courts for speedy trials in these cases.
“To ensure quick justice, trials should preferably be completed within 15 days,” she suggested.

Agencies

Agencies