Kolkata: Family members of the late doctor from Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital have strongly refuted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s claims regarding compensation offered after their daughter’s tragic death on August 9. The victim’s mother has accused the Chief Minister of dishonesty, emphasizing that the government did indeed offer monetary compensation.
The Chief Minister, speaking on Monday, denied that any financial aid had been provided to the family, stating instead that the government had only offered support for a memorial if the family wished to establish one. However, the victim’s mother has contradicted this assertion, recalling that a promise of financial aid was made in exchange for justice for her daughter.
“My daughter is not coming back. Would I lie in her name? She (the CM) told us we would receive money and suggested we create something in her memory. I replied that I would collect the money once justice was served,” the mother told news agency ANI.
In response to the Chief Minister’s remarks about returning to festivities, the grieving mother declared that Durga Puja will never be celebrated in their household again. “Durga Puja was celebrated at our home, and my daughter used to manage it. But now, Durga Puja will never be celebrated in our house again. The light in our home is gone. How can I ask people to return to the festival?” she lamented.
Amidst the ongoing turmoil, Governor C. V. Ananda Bose has urged the Chief Minister to adhere to Article 167(C) of the Constitution, which mandates that the Chief Minister must inform the Governor of all Council of Ministers’ decisions and legislative proposals. The Governor had earlier suggested a Cabinet meeting to address public demands, including the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal.
Ghosh Sent to Judicial Custody
In a related development, Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, was remanded to judicial custody until September 23 by a special CBI court. His security guard Afsar Ali, along with two alleged associates—medical equipment vendor Biplab Singha and pharmacy shop owner Suman Hazara—were also sent to judicial custody until the same date. They were arrested on September 2 in connection with corruption at the health facility.
Chaotic scenes unfolded at the Alipore Court as the accused were presented, with protesters shouting ‘chor, chor’ (thief, thief) and one individual reportedly throwing a slipper at the ex-principal.
To date, only one arrest has been made in the case of the rape and murder of the doctor. Sanjoy Roy, a civic police volunteer, was apprehended by Kolkata Police hours after the crime, with the victim’s body found on August 9 in a seminar room at the hospital.
Published – September 10, 2024, 01:52 PM IST
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