Kolkata rape-murder case highlights: ‘Never asked CM to resign; still open for talks,’ say junior doctors

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: CBI officers on Thursday collected the dental impression of Sanjoy Roy, the prime accused in the rape-murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as part of their ongoing investigation, an officer stated.

Roy's dental impression, which could serve as crucial evidence in the case, was obtained during a questioning session by the central agency's detectives at the Presidency Correctional Home, according to the officer.

“There were bite marks on the woman's body, and the post-mortem report has mentioned those. Our idea is to match those with the accused's dental impression,” he told PTI.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: After Mamata Banerjee announced on Thursday that she is prepared to “resign from her position” amid ongoing protests by junior doctors in Kolkata over the RG Kar rape-murder incident, BJP leader Roopa Ganguly urged the West Bengal Chief Minister to step down the next day.

Ganguly stated, “Let us start tomorrow with good news,” and further called on the CM to "at least resign from the Health Minister's post tomorrow."

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Reacting to the standoff over the demand for live streaming, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari claimed live streaming had the possibility of exposing alleged corruption under the state health department.

He also alleged that the chief minister would not have answers to questions on the alleged investigation "loopholes, attempts to destroy evidence and hasty cremation".

After an attempt to resolve the medic unrest in Kolkata failed once again, agitating doctors on Thursday pointed the blame at the West Bengal government for its rigidness to not allow the live streaming of the meeting. The protestors also said they never sought chief minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation, as offered by her, over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata last month. Read more

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Explaining the ongoing impact of junior doctors cease-work protests, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that 27 people have died and over 7 lakh people have been affected due to disruption in medical services.

“It has been 32 days. Junior and resident doctors are not working. 1,500 heart patients have not received treatment. Many have died at home due to lack of medical care. Can't we show empathy towards their families?” Banerjee asked.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: West Bengal Ananda Bose said he will not share any public platform with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“In solidarity with the Bengal society, I resolve that I will socially boycott the Chief Minister. Socially boycott means I will not be sharing any public platform with the Chief Minister nor will I participate in any public program which involves the Chief Minister. My role as Governor will be confined to the constitutional obligations which I have discharged in respect of the Chief Minister. Nothing more, nothing less. I am deeply pained that serious allegations of a criminal nature have been levelled against the highest officer who is supposed to prevent crime in Kolkata, the Kolkata Police Commission,” Bose said.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Reacting to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's offer to resign, a junior doctor from the delegation said they never demanded her resignation in their list of five demands.

"Our demand is clear cut, we want justice, we want that those creating hurdles in the path of justice be brought under the purview of law. Not even the parents (of the deceased) have demanded her resignation," said a junior doctor.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: A junior doctor part of the delegation to the state secretariat said they wanted the meeting to happen in “front of everyone” and expressed apprehensions that the recorded footage could be ‘edited’ by the state government.

“We just want that our meeting should be in front of everyone. We don't want the recording because the recording can be edited. Everyone can see the live streaming. Our only motive is that everything should be in front of everyone. We've full faith that it (meeting) can happen. We want live streaming. Our protest will continue till we get justice,” Dr Anurag Mandal told ANI.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Agitating junior doctors expressed their unhappiness on the continuing stalemate over preconditions for talks.

“Our agitation will continue till demands are met, we are still open for talks,” they said.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Would you ever see a @BJP4India CM waiting 1.5 hours to engage in open dialogue with protestors? Absolutely not. From JNU to the farmers’ protest, from wrestlers’ protest to Manipur – PM @narendramodi and BJP have consistently shown a disregard for democratic discussion and dissent. It’s time for junior doctors to recognise the difference – stand on the right side of history!" the party posted on X.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: "I apologise to the people of Bengal. They were expecting that this issue will be resolved today. We are waiting for them for three days. I request junior doctors to contribute to work and save the people of Bengal. I waited three days with my highest officials." said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Reacting to the doctors refusal to engage in talks, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said talks over a sub-judice case cannot be telecast.

She also claimed that the government had made arrangements to record the meeting and could have shared the footage with the permission of the Supreme court.

"I tried thrice to hold talks with junior doctors to end RG Kar stalemate. We waited for 2 hours for meeting with junior doctors, they didn't enter venue," Banerjee said.

The chief minister also claimed that 27 people have died and 7 lakh patients have suffered because of junior doctors "cease work" protest

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Hardening their stance, the junior doctors refused to attend talks with chief minister Mamata Banerjee without a live telecast.

Chief Secretary Manoj Pant said live-streaming is not that important, but talks are necessary to find a solution to the crisis. “We allowed 32 junior doctors for the meeting despite earlier deciding on 15. They are sticking to the demand for making the meeting live-telecast which is not important. The CM is waiting for the last one and a half hours,” Pant told PTI.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: The protesting junior doctors on Wednesday shared their list of five demands in an email sent to the state government.

“Those creating trouble in justice should be asked to resign. Elections should be conducted, college counsel should be given recognition, and elected representatives should be part of it and not "selected" representatives", Dr. Aqeeb said explaining their demands.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: A 30-member delegation from the protesting junior doctors reached the state secretariat Nabanna for the much-delayed talks between them and the state government.

The delegation is expected to raise their five-point demands in presence of the chief minister

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Welcoming the Bengal government’s “positive response” to hold talks in presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, agitating junior doctors Thursday announced their decision to attend the proposed meeting at the state secretariat.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: In a letter to the Principal's of medical colleges across the state, the West Bengal governmet asked for a report on number of junior doctors who resumed duties in compliance of the Supreme Court's directive.

The letter from the Director of Medical Education mentioned the issue as “extremely urgent”.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: BJP attacked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for refusing live telecast of proposed meeting and asked, "who is she trying to defend"?

“A petrified Mamata Banerjee refuses live telecast of meeting with the protesting Junior Doctors, which is a critical demand, for the sake of transparency. The Chief Secretary says the meeting will be documented”.

“Well, the WB Govt couldn’t preserve vaginal swab of the rape and murder victim of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. They couldn’t even produce the challan, a mandatory document before a body is sent in for post-mortem, and they expect the Junior Doctors to trust them?”

“Mamata Banerjee is a LIAR. Question is: what is she scared of and who is she trying to defend? West Bengal is watching. So is India,” BJP leader Amit Malviya posted on X.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: In a fresh letter to the protesting doctors, the chief secretary called for a restricted delegation of 15 members and confirmed Mamata Banerjee's presence during the proposed talks.

While turning down the doctors demand for a live telecast, the government agreed for the meeting to be recorded.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Agencies reported that a suspicious bag was found near the protest site of junior doctors in Kolkata. Police is examining the bag with the help of a dog squad. More details are awaited.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary termed the doctors protest as “historic”, in the wake of the stalemate with the Bengal government and defiance of Supreme Court orders, on Wednesday.

"We are supporting them and are fighting for them. This is historic, the world will remember it", he said.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: The Trinamool Congress has urged doctors to not fall for the “opportunistic” political backing of the BJP and other parties during their sit-in outside Swasthya Bhavan.

The TMC had pointed out that a BJP leader with a criminal history had joined the protests and that doctors should be careful of the politicisation in the case of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar hospital.

In a post on X, TMC said, “Junior doctors, don’t be swayed by their theatrics. Continue your noble service to the people!”

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Junior doctors in Kolkata have been protesting outside the state health department for more than 40 hours.

The doctors who have been protesting in defiance of Supreme Court orders to return to work, have been sitting outside the Swasthya Bhavan for three days.

On Wednesday talks between the doctors and the government fell through after the latter refused to live broadcast the discussion.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Actor Mithun Chakraborty and BJP members held a rally in Kolkata on Wednesday demanding justice for the doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar hospital last month.

The rally was organised to commemorate Swami Vivekananda's historic speech at Chicago's Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893.