Demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gaurav Bhatia on Monday alleged that the Trinamool chief is standing with the rapists instead of standing with the family of the victim, adding that the head of the entire India’s democracy has bowed in shame.
After the Supreme Court directed the CBI to submit a fresh report by September 17, addressing a press conference in Delhi, Gaurav Bhatia said that the head of India’s democracy has bowed in shame after a two-hour hearing took place in the top court.
“Today, a two-hour hearing took place in the Supreme Court. The head of the entire India’s democracy has bowed in shame. If anyone is not feeling ashamed, it’s West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. If you had witnessed the hearing, you would have seen that on one side were the protectors of the Constitution–the Supreme Court, BJP, and the people of India and West Bengal–and on the other side were the violators of the Constitution. She is not ashamed that she failed to stand with the family of the victim,” Gaurav Bhatia said.
“Questions that the SC has asked Mamata Banerjee, the CJI said there was at least a 14-hour delay to register the FIR. Does Mamata Banerjee still want to continue as West Bengal CM?… She should resign so that a fair investigation can be conducted. If during the investigation evidence shows that she was careless and also involved in tampering with the evidence, then her polygraph test should be conducted, and her arrest could be imperative to ensure that there is justice given to the family members of the victim and every citizen of the country,” he added.
The BJP leader further said that the police of West Bengal should be suspended as they can’t safeguard the people.
“Her call records and police commissioner’s call record, ex-principal, should be released to the public. When such an atrocity was happening at that time, were you planning something? Justice will be served. No matter how hard you try to remove the evidence or take action against the doctors, justice will be served. The parents of the victim themselves have said that they were pressurised by the police. The police themselves wrote the complaint; then you can imagine how much truth will be there. The Joint Platform for Doctors in West Bengal have also asked Abhishek Banerjee to resign because he is spreading lie. He is saying that the victim died because she was bleeding for 3 hours and no medical treatment was given,” he added.
Bhatia further said that the BJP is the party that wants justice for the family of the victim and that every girl is safe in Bengal.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court ordered the immediate removal of all photos of the victim from social media.
The apex court also reminded that no action should be taken against doctors once they return to work by tomorrow 5 PM. However, it noted that if they fail to do so, the court will not be able to restrain the state government, and further absence from work might lead to disciplinary action against them.
Senior Advocate Geeta Luthra, following the court’s statement, mentioned that doctors are facing threats. The Supreme Court also directed necessary conditions being created to safety and security of doctors in hospitals with availability of toilet facilities for both male and female among others.
The Court also raised multiple concerns regarding the post-mortem report in a case of alleged rape and murder. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the West Bengal government, pointed out several issues. One of the advocates present during the hearing questioned the improper handling of a vaginal swab, which should have been preserved at 4 degrees Celsius but was not.
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, asked SG Mehta whether the necessary documents were available when the body was sent for the post-mortem. Senior Advocate Sibal, unable to immediately produce the required documents, requested additional time to submit them. Mehta confirmed that the documents were not included in the files provided to them.
During the proceedings, CJI Chandrachud directed the CBI to submit an updated status report by next week. The court will review the matter on Tuesday, September 17.
The court also inquired about CCTV footage related to the incident. SG Mehta confirmed that four video clips, totalling 27 minutes, had been handed over to the CBI. The CBI is now sending the samples to AIIMS and other forensic labs for further examination.
The body of the trainee doctor was found in the seminar room of the R G Kar hospital on August 9. The incident sparked nationwide protests. A civic volunteer was arrested shortly after. The CBI also arrested Dr Sandip Ghosh, for alleged financial misconduct at the medical establishment.
