In a significant development on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will take over the probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor from Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital if the Kolkata Police fails to conclude its investigation by the upcoming Sunday.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Joint Commissioner (Crime) Murli Dhar of the Kolkata Police is currently investigating the case.
Banerjee’s announcement followed a public appeal by the Kolkata Police on social media, urging citizens to trust the SIT’s efforts.
Banerjee stated that if the police don’t complete the investigation by next Sunday, she will hand the case over to the CBI after meeting with the victim’s family.
She emphasized that this decision was made to ensure public confidence in the investigation process.
Earlier, Banerjee had indicated her willingness to support a central agency probe if requested by the victim’s family or the protesting junior doctors and medical students.
City Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal backed the Chief Minister’s stance, reaffirming that he could transfer the case to the CBI if needed.
Despite acknowledging the CBI’s mixed track record, including unresolved cases like the Nobel Medal theft of Rabindranath Tagore, Banerjee emphasized that the transfer aims to address public concerns.
“For the sake of public satisfaction, we will hand over the case to the CBI,” she said.
Banerjee also directed the Kolkata Police to expedite the legal process, including filing the charge sheet within the next three to four days, and to seek a fast-track court for the proceedings.
She indicated that if necessary, the state would push for capital punishment for the perpetrator, stating, “Such a crime deserves no mercy.”
Expressing solidarity with the protesting junior doctors and medical students, Banerjee affirmed, “Their demands are justified, and I stand fully with them.”
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