In connection with the recent vandalism at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, 25 individuals have been arrested, the police confirmed. The incident, which took place on August 14, saw a mob causing significant damage to the hospital campus, including the protest site, vehicles, and other public property.
The mob stormed the RG Kar Hospital campus on Wednesday night, leading to widespread damage. Security forces had to intervene to disperse the crowd, preventing further destruction.
The Kolkata Police, through a post on their official X account, announced the arrests, stating, “As of now, we have made 25 arrests in relation to the vandalism at RG Kar Hospital on Wednesday night.” The police also mentioned that four additional suspects were identified through social media posts, and the search for other suspects continues.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Left and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring to create unrest in the state. She alleged that those involved in the hospital vandalism were not associated with the ongoing student movement at RG Kar Medical College, but rather were external agitators. “They are outsiders, I have seen videos showing some holding national flags and others with white and red flags, indicating their political affiliations,” Banerjee remarked.
The Chief Minister also commended the police for their restraint during the chaotic events. She recounted how some officers, including a Deputy Commissioner and two Officer-in-Charges, were injured during the incident and had to be hospitalized. Banerjee expressed her gratitude towards the police for maintaining composure and not retaliating against the mob.
Regarding the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College, Banerjee emphasized that the case is now under the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She added, “If you have anything to say, direct it to the CBI. We have no objections.”
The brutal rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College on August 9 have sparked nationwide outrage, particularly among medical professionals. The CBI, which is leading the investigation, visited the hospital on Thursday to gather a digital blueprint of the incident. Four doctors from the hospital have been summoned for questioning regarding the events of that night.
The primary suspect, Sanjoy Roy, was brought out for a medical examination on Thursday as part of the investigation.
Protests over the incident have spread across the country, with junior doctors and medical students staging demonstrations, including a significant protest at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad.
Amid concerns that the vandalism might have compromised the crime scene, the Kolkata Police issued a clarification, assuring that the seminar room where the crime took place remained untouched. The police warned against the spread of unverified information and hinted at legal action for those spreading rumors.
Earlier, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar accused the Trinamool Congress-led state government of failing to maintain law and order. He claimed that the vandalism was a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence related to the case, with a large group of attackers reportedly entering the medical college, assaulting and threatening doctors.
The ongoing unrest underscores the heightened tensions in West Bengal, with questions surrounding the handling of the investigation and the broader implications for the state’s security and governance.
(ANI)
