In the wake of the brutal rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the subsequent vandalism, the Calcutta High Court has taken stern action, demanding photographic proof that the seminar room where the doctor’s body was found is secure.
The Calcutta High Court’s order follows allegations from the victim’s parents that the room had been demolished by vandals during protests on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
The Calcutta High Court expressed outrage, declaring an “absolute failure of state machinery” and warning the West Bengal government that it might order the closure of the hospital if state police could not guarantee the safety of the facility and the doctors working there.
The Calcutta High Court emphasized the importance of protecting medical personnel and questioned the police’s ability to maintain order in such a volatile situation.
CBI to Investigate Pre-Planned Vandalism
In addition to demanding proof of the seminar room’s condition, the High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit an interim report on what it described as “pre-planned” vandalism.
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This follows an earlier court order for the CBI to investigate the doctor’s murder, prompted by the parents’ claims of serious lapses by both the hospital administration and the police.
The grisly murder, which took place on August 9, has sparked nationwide protests, including the “Reclaim The Night” movement, during which a mob clashed with police and vandalized parts of the hospital.
The situation escalated quickly, with the police reporting that around 7,000 people participated in the protest, leading to injuries among 15 police personnel, including the Deputy Commissioner.
State’s Defense and Court’s Sharp Rebuttal
In response to the Calcutta High Court’s inquiries, the state government described the chaotic scene, explaining that the number of protesters swelled unexpectedly, leading to a breakdown in control.
Despite the deployment of tear gas and other measures, the mob caused significant damage, including the ransacking of the hospital’s emergency room. However, the state maintained that the crime scene itself was protected.
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The court, however, was not convinced by these explanations, questioning why public protests were permitted on such a sensitive issue and why Section 144, which prohibits large gatherings, was not enforced more effectively. The Chief Justice’s bench expressed disbelief that the police were unaware of the large gathering and criticized the overall handling of the situation, calling it a “sorry state of affairs.”
Arguing for the victim’s parents, senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya accused the police of failing to protect the crime scene, suggesting that only a misunderstanding by the vandals prevented further damage. The court also questioned the timing of renovation work near the crime scene, which hospital authorities claimed was unrelated to the incident.
Court’s Final Warning to the State
In a final warning, the Calcutta High Court stated that it would consider closing down the hospital if the state failed to secure it properly, even asking how many patients would need to be relocated if such a drastic step were taken. Although the state repeatedly assured the court of the crime scene’s security, the judges made it clear that they were deeply disturbed by the events.
The High Court has now ordered the police to submit all details of the protest, including a timeline of events, to the CBI, which has been directed to proceed with the investigation as it sees fit. The court also underscored the urgent need for measures to protect doctors in the wake of this tragic incident.
