Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], March 26 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal General Secretary Priyanka Tibrewal accused Trinamool Congress (TMC) led West Bengal government of a "possible cover up" in the RG Kar rape and murder case.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Tibrewal said "Everyone had this question, whether this was gang rape or not, whether there was a shady investigation or not, whether there was a cover-up or not, and if at all everything was there, then who are the people behind this crime?... We do not understand the fear of the state government..."
"Mamata Banerjee very openly had said that we want the convict to be hanged. Now, why is itthat the state government before the Calcutta High Court said whether this matter is maintainable or not in a writ? Now that raises our question in the mind that this possible cover-up is at the behest of the state government," she added.
On Sunday (March 23), Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar sparked controversy by accusing three leaders, including Somnath Dey, of being involved in the RG Kar College rape and murder incident.
Majumdar claimed that Dey was rewarded with a prized posting as Chairman of Panihati Municipality by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly destroying evidence by burning the victim's body.
"Three leaders had a role in it (RG Kar Medical College rape and murder). One of these three leaders, Somnath Dey, has been appointed as the Chairman of Panihati Municipality by Mamata Banerjee by giving him a prize posting. This prize posting is because it was on Mamata Banerjee's instructions that they destroyed the evidence by burning the (victim's) body... This is playing with the sentiments of the people of West Bengal," said Majumdar.
Majumdar's allegations have led to a protest in North 24 Parganas, where he was joined by BJP workers. The incident has raised questions about the handling of the case and the involvement of political leaders.
The RG Kar Medical College rape and murder incident occurred on August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room on campus. The case led to widespread protests and outrage across the country, with many demanding justice for the victim.
The investigation into the incident was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the police's handling of the case. The CBI has since arrested several individuals, including the main accused, Sanjay Roy, who has been convicted of the crime.
Earlier, the supreme court granted the parents of the victim in the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case the liberty to approach the Calcutta High Court, where their plea is already filed.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna allowed the deceased victims' parents to approach the Calcutta High Court, noting that a single-judge bench of the High Court is monitoring the case.
The top court was hearing a suo motu case in the rape and murder of a trainee doctor, which took place at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy represented the victims' parents.