Kolkata Police Take Action Against BJP Leaders Following Protest Over Doctor's Death
Police File Cases Against BJP Leaders
The Kolkata Police have initiated seven legal cases against three leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including two Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), for allegedly hindering police duties, assaulting officers, and damaging public property during a protest on Saturday.
This demonstration was organized to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, with her parents leading the charge alongside various BJP supporters.
Despite extensive security measures, including ten-foot iron barricades, confrontations occurred between police and protesters at multiple locations in Kolkata and nearby Howrah, as reported by a local media outlet.
The mother of the deceased doctor was hospitalized due to a head injury sustained during a police lathi-charge aimed at dispersing the crowd.
Injuries were also reported among five police officers, who are currently receiving medical attention.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma stated that they are reviewing CCTV footage and drone surveillance to identify those responsible for obstructing police operations and causing damage.
Verma expressed regret over the injury to the doctor’s mother, emphasizing that an investigation is underway regarding the circumstances surrounding her injury, which he stated should not have occurred.
He assured that the police would pursue an investigation even without a formal complaint, indicating that inquiries have already commenced.
An unnamed police official revealed that BJP MLAs Ashok Dinda and Agnimtra Paul, along with party leader Kaustav Bagchi, have been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for their roles in the protest.
These charges include non-bailable offenses.
The tragic case of the 31-year-old trainee doctor, whose body was discovered on August 9 within the hospital premises, ignited nationwide protests.
For weeks, the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front led demonstrations demanding accountability from senior officials and an end to the prevailing 'threat culture' in the state's medical facilities.
Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer, was apprehended by the Kolkata Police on August 10, just a day after the doctor’s body was found.
Subsequently, the Calcutta High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over the case after a daily trial was held following the filing of a chargesheet on October 7. Roy maintained his innocence during the proceedings.
In January, the Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of the crime.
In response to the protests demanding justice for the trainee doctor, the Kolkata Police enforced prohibitory orders to prevent gatherings outside the medical institution for several days. On August 15, a mob of approximately 5,000 to 7,000 individuals stormed the hospital, leading to vandalism and attacks on demonstrators, including medical professionals.
The ongoing protests significantly disrupted healthcare services across West Bengal, as doctors at state-run hospitals participated in strikes in solidarity with the victim.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation is also probing allegations of evidence tampering and corruption related to the case, with several individuals, including the former principal of the hospital and a past officer-in-charge of the local police station, being implicated.