"Those trying to cover up, save the accused" Swati Maliwal urges Bengal CM to take "strictest action" in Kolkata rape case
Aug 15, 2024
New Delhi [India], August 15 : As nationwide anger emerges over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar medical college and Hospital in Kolkata, former chief of Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal has written a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure severe punishment for the accused and also for those who are trying to save them.
"The inhuman atrocities inflicted upon this young woman have brought shame upon humanity and triggered widespread protests across the country. As someone who has long advocated for the protection of women's rights, I have been following this case with close attention, and the more I learn, the deeper my revulsion grows," Swati Maliwal wrote in a letter to the West Bengal CM.
Highlighting concerns which have come to light through the various reports of the media, Maliwal stated that there was a delay in informing the family after the incident came to the notice of the hospital management.
"The post-mortem suggests the heinous assault took place between 3 am to 5 am on the 9th of August. However, it appears that the first call informing the parents of their daughter's death was made much later," Maliwal said.
Maliwal expressed concern about several issues in the case, including the denial of access to the body, the failure to file an FIR, misleading the family by labelling the case as a "suicide," the transfer of the principal, and the Calcutta High Court's observation of potential evidence tampering at the crime scene, all of which are raising suspicions.
Maliwal also highlighted how a mob of goons entered the RG Medical Hospital last night and ransacked the emergency wing.
"This act of blatant hooliganism not only resulted in the destruction of public property but may also have further intimidated crucial witnesses in the case. The failure of the police to protect such a critical site, particularly in the aftermath of such a heinous crime, is a stark indictment of the state of law and order in the capital. This incident raises further concerns about the government's ability to safeguard justice and protect vulnerable citizens," Maliwal wrote in the letter.
The ex-DCW Chief urged the West Bengal CM to rise above "political expediency" and ensure " severest punishments are meted out to the perpetrators of crimes against women and children".
"Further, I request you to ensure full cooperation to the CBI, so that proper investigation is done in the matter and justice is meted out to the family. The Government must also fix accountability of those in power, who tried to cover up the matter and save the accused," she added.
On August 9, a post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The victim's family has alleged that she was raped and murdered. This incident has triggered a nationwide protest by doctors and medical fraternities.
