Kolkata rape-murder case: Differences emerge in Trinamool ranks as protests continue

Protests in Kolkata over doctor's rape and murder reveal internal divisions in Trinamool Congress ranks.

As protests continued to rage across Kolkata over the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, differences in Trinamool Congress ranks came to the fore on Sunday (August 18, 2024).

Early on Sunday, in a post on X, Trinamool’s Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray demanded custodial interrogation of the Kolkata Police Commissioner and former Principal of the medical college, to know who floated the initial “suicide story” and why.

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“Why wall of hall demolished, who patronised [accused Sanjay] Roy to be so powerful, why sniffer dog used after 3 days. 100s of such questions. Make them speak,” Mr. Ray said on the social networking site.

Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh hit out at Mr. Ray, describing the post “unfortunate”. “I also demand justice in the R.G. Kar case. But I strongly oppose this demand regarding CP [Kolkata Commissioner of Police Vineet Kumar Goyal]. After getting information he tried his best. Personally the CP was doing his job and the investigation was in positive focus. This kind of post is unfortunate, that too from my senior leader,” Mr. Roy said. The Calcutta High Court on August 13 had handed over the case to the CBI.

The Kolkata Police too sent notice to Mr. Ray for his post on X. Police sources refuted Mr. Ray’s claims that a dog squad was sent to the crime spot after three days. The Rajya Sabha MP has been asked to appear at Lalbazar Police Headquarters by Sunday.

The police also sent notice to two doctors who allegedly revealed the identity of the victim. BJP leader Locket Chatterjee too has been summoned. Summons have also been issued to Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader Meenakshi Mukherjee and other functionaries of the body, which is the youth outfit of the Communist Party Of India (Marxist). The DYFI has set up a protest stage outside the hospital. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had alleged that DYFI flags were seen at the hospital when it was vandalised in the early hours of August 15.