Banerjee stated that the West Bengal government has no objections to an investigation by any agency, including the CBI, should there be a demand for it
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday strongly condemned the murder of a woman trainee doctor, who was allegedly sexually assaulted. She stated that her government will seek the death penalty for the accused.
Describing the incident as gruesome and despicable, Banerjee directed officials to ensure the case is tried in a fast-track court.
The Chief Minister also noted that the West Bengal government has no objections to an investigation by any agency, including the CBI, should there be a demand for it.
The 31-year-old postgraduate trainee’s semi-nude body was discovered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday. The victim, a second-year student in the chest medicine department, was on duty the previous night. Her body showed signs of injury.
The preliminary autopsy report indicated that she was “sexually abused” before being killed.
In response to protests and processions by junior doctors demanding punishment for the accused, Banerjee said the demonstrations were “justified.”
“I endorse the demands being made by the junior doctors,” she told a Bengali news channel, PTI reported.
Additionally, the TMC chief urged junior doctors at state-run hospitals to continue providing healthcare services while participating in protests.
Earlier, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal assured that the police would ensure the accused receives “the highest punishment” if found guilty.
The police have arrested one individual in connection with the case. According to authorities, the arrested man, an outsider, had unrestricted access to the different departments of the hospital.
“Now, we are trying to find out who else was with him or he had someone else with him,” a police official said, adding that they might conduct necessary medical examinations on him.
Two intern doctors were also questioned on Friday night as part of the ongoing investigation.
(With inputs from PTI)
