Kolkata doctor rape-murder case highlights: Mamata Banerjee isn't physically fit to be CM, says Bengal BJP chief

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: The CBI on Thursday conducted polygraph tests on two private guards employed at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a trainee postgraduate doctor was allegedly raped and killed on August 9, officials said.

The guards were produced before a Kolkata court on Thursday for getting their consent for the tests and after getting the court's nod, the tests were concluded by the evening, they said.

The total number of individuals put through polygraph tests in the case is now 10, including arrested accused Sanjay Roy, former principal of the medical college Sandip Ghosh, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of the Kolkata Police Anup Dutta, four doctors who were on duty with the victim on the fateful night, and a civic volunteer of the Kolkata Police, to get further leads about the crime.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: On RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case, former Indian Cricketer Harbhajan Singh says "Women safety is very important for all of us, there should be a law for it and it will be discussed in the Parliament as well. I feel that a law must be passed on this because if such incidents keep happening then how can we say that our country is safe for our mothers and sisters? She was also our daughter who was affected by this, so this should be taken very seriously and it should not be made a political issue, everyone should get together and make a law on this so that any brutal person thinks a thousand times before committing such an act."

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: On West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's statement, Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President says, " The kind of statement that has come from Bengal CM is something that makes the state feel ashamed...a woman who is sitting in the chair of CM after taking oath, she said that they will create unrest in Northeast and UP, it is a very concerning thing. Central agencies and central govt should keep eye on her...Mamata Banerjee is not physically fit to be a CM, she should resign"

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: "Police and (state) government both are involved. We want justice," says Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as he leads party's protest march in Kolkata over the RG Kar Medical College case.

"They are trying to threaten, but people are not afraid. This is a people's movement," he said on allegations of CM Mamata Banerjee threatening protesting doctors.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: The West Bengal government has convened a two-day special session of the state assembly starting September 2 to table and pass a Bill that would provide for capital punishment for convicted rapists, according to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay. The Bill is set to be discussed and passed on Tuesday, the second day of the session, as confirmed by Speaker Biman Banerjee.

This decision follows chief minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement that an amendment to existing laws would be introduced in the assembly next week to ensure capital punishment for those convicted of rape.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: On West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's statement, Bihar LoP and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, "The BJP is carrying out hooliganism in the entire West Bengal. Shops in markets are being looted. The people of the BJP want to disrupt the peaceful environment. They are inciting the people continuously. But the people of Bengal or any other state will not fall for it. As far as the incidents of rape are concerned, they are the most in Uttar Pradesh and other BJP-ruled states. It is happening frequently in Bihar. Why are they silent on it? BJP wants to create a panic everywhere but they would remain unsuccessful in doing so."

ANI

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, "What happened in Kolkata is unfortunate and painful. The CBI is investigating, and the strictest punishment should be given through a fast-track court. However, I must point out that the President should not adopt a selective approach. She expressed concern over the Bengal incident but remained silent on the Manipur incidents—this double standard should not be practiced. There are multiple incidents across the country, whether in Badlapur or Uttar Pradesh, and the President should be concerned about the entire nation."

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Reacting to President Murmu's remarks on the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said, "The President should not only be concerned about Kolkata but also about the situation in Maharashtra. The people of Maharashtra are deeply troubled by the incident in Badlapur. The President must acknowledge the atrocities against women in Maharashtra as well. She is the President of the entire nation..."

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "The entire country is outraged with what is happening to the women in our country, whether it is happening in Maharashtra or Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Bengal or Assam. Wherever it is happening, this is one country. These women are from our own family, so we need to be concerned and outraged."

ANI

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: A team from the CBI reached RG Kar Medical College and Hospital as part of its investigation into the doctor's rape and murder. The agency is also probing financial irregularities in the hospital under former principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh's tenure.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba said President Droupadi Murmu is afraid to express her concerns on Badlapur sexual assault case and the ethnic violence in Manipur.

"I wish you would not have been silent. 11 girls were paraded naked, raped, you were silent. Then a women governor in Manipur, she was asking for time to meet you. Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, daughters of Haryana, reached to you asking for justice, you did not give them time. You were silent. If you would not have been silent, the situation would have been different. We are also asking time to meet you," Lamba told PTI.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee clarified that the phrase "phonsh kara" she used in her Wednesday speech was a quote from Saint Ramakrishna.

"The legendary saint had said that occasionally there is need to raise one's voice. When there are crimes and criminal offences, voice of protest has to be raised. My speech on that point was a direct allusion to the great Ramakrishnite saying", she wrote on X.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP in the state for trying to anarchy and threaten democracy with the help of Union government.

“With support from Centre, they are trying to create lawlessness, and I have raised my voice against them”, she posted on X emphasizing that she only spoke against the BJP in her Wednesday speech.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she senses a malicious disinformation campaign in some sections of the media to distort her Wednesday's speech.

"Let me most emphatically clarify that I have not uttered a single word against the (medical etc.) students or their movements. I totally support their movement. Their movement is genuine. I never threatened them, as some people are accusing me of doing. This allegation is completely false," she posted on X.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: "I welcome this statement and this intervention by the President. The entire country is outraged. But the country's outrage is not just about Kolkata incident, but they are also about Farrukhabad, Kolhapur, Badlapur, Pune, Ratnagiri, Jodhpur, Katni, there are so many instances. In UP, everyday such incidents are coming up. The President would do well in representing and articulating the outrage of the country felt for across the country and not just one region or state," says Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: "It is not only about Kolkata. The President should also express concern over the situation in Maharashtra. Whatever happened in Badlapur... Our President should also take note of crimes against women in Maharashtra. President Murmuji is for all... she is the President of the country," said Maharashtra Congress in-charge Ramesh Chennithala.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: BJP MP and West Bengal BJP Vice President Saumitra Khan told ANI that "Senior Supreme Court lawyers are going to the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) regarding the RG Kar issue. I will also go because those involved in the RG Kar hospital incident should be arrested immediately. We are going (to the NHRC) against the police lathi-charge on the protestors..."

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been conducting a polygraph test on Kolkata Police assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Anup Dutta. The test is being conducted after obtaining his consent.

The central agency is trying to figure out whether Anup Dutta helped the main accused Sanjay Roy to cover up the rape and murder of the 31-year-old woman postgraduate trainee doctor inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. Read more

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: "The first citizen and the President of India has expressed her deep concern over the incident that happened in Kolkata. We now expect that the WB CM Mamata Banerjee should not just focus on politics and votes but should ensure strict action against the accused to embolden the faith of people in system. The fear of the President is natural," says JD(U) leader Neeraj Kumar told PTI.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Sayan Lahiri, an MBA student and the face of the Nabanna Chalo Abhijaan, has been booked in three cases and has been remanded to 14 days in police custody. BJP assured full legal support to the student to secure his bail as soon as possible.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: BJP MP and West Bengal BJP vice president Saumitra Khan says, "A group of concerned citizens of civil society across the country consisting of Members of Parliament, Former IPS officer, Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court and High Court, and Members of Legislative Assembly amongst others will be calling upon the acting chairperson of the NHRC (National Human Right Commission) today i.e. 29th August 2024 at 2 pm to submit a representation on the unfolding events occurred on 27th August 2024 and 28th August 2024 in the West Bengal that are blatant violation of human rights."

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: To maintain political pressure on the ruling TMC, the BJP announced that it would begin a series of protests from August 29.

Saffron party activists will stage a sit-in at Esplanade Y Channel on Thursday, while the party's women's wing will gherao the state women’s commission office on August 30. (PTI)

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday met the injured people at the hospitals who participated in the 'Nabanna Abhiyan' in Kolkata and assured all possible help.

"Today I went to meet Shri Timir Sarkar and Shri Sanjit Biswas and others at the hospitals where they are admitted and receiving treatment for their injuries. They participated in the Nabanna Abhiyan yesterday and were roughed up by the Mamata Police for no fault of theirs. The Police without any provocation lathi charged them and unfortunately, they sustained serious injuries," Adhikari posted on X.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday suspended the membership of Kolkata's former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Dr Sandip Ghosh, amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor and corruption charges against him.

The order said the disciplinary committee of the IMA has "unanimously decided to suspend you forthwith from the membership of the Indian Medical Association."