Kolkata doctor murder case: 7,000 people can’t just walk in; Calcutta High Court slams Bengal over hospital mob attack

PTC News Desk: On Friday, the Calcutta High Court addressed the serious issues surrounding the recent vandalism and mob attacks at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which occurred on the eve of Independence Day during the nationwide ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest.

The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court strongly criticised the West Bengal government, describing the incident as an “absolute failure of state machinery.” He condemned the situation as a “sorry state of affairs,” highlighting the inability of city police to safeguard the hospital and questioning how doctors could perform their duties under such threats.

In response to the chaotic situation, the High Court announced its intention to shut down the RG Kar Hospital and relocate patients to other medical facilities. This decision followed a flood of emails and complaints regarding the vandalism and mob attacks, as reported by Live Law and cited by the Chief Justice.

The court’s reprimand focused on the state’s inadequate response to the situation. The Chief Justice pointed out that despite the enforcement of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to control large gatherings, the authorities failed to adequately secure the area. He criticized the fact that “7,000 people can’t come walking” into the hospital, stressing that such large groups should have been managed more effectively.

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The court emphasized the severe impact such incidents have on the morale and confidence of healthcare professionals. It underscored that it is the state government’s duty to ensure that medical staff can work without fear of violence or intimidation. The Chief Justice called for immediate and effective measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

In parallel, the Kolkata Police have arrested 19 individuals in connection with the vandalism that occurred during the protest. According to police reports, a group of 40 to 50 people, using the pretext of a demonstration, unlawfully entered the hospital premises late on Wednesday night and caused extensive damage.

Additionally, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation into the brutal rape and murder of the trainee doctor from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), signaling a shift in handling the case to ensure a thorough and impartial inquiry.

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