'Seems like Mamata Banerjee is trying to protect someone': BJP on Kolkata doctor rape-murder case

The BJP leader also said that the party stands firmly with the family members of the deceased

BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on Wednesday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at a state-run hospital in West Bengal, accusing her of trying to protect the accused. This comes a day after the Calcutta High Court ordered for the transfer of probe in the case from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

"After reading the judgement and media reports, it seems like Mamata Banerjee is trying to protect someone. The first 48 hours are very important for evidence collection and Mamata Banerjee gave a statement a day after the crime where she said she would transfer the case to CBI after a few days," he said.

Question Banerjee over her stance, Bhatia further added, "If the case would have been transferred to CBI immediately, they would have conducted an unbiased probe and protected the crime scene."

A source in the CBI told PTI that the agency has filed an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in New Delhi in connection with the case. The CBI may take Sanjay Roy, who was arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with the case, into its custody during the day.

"Yesterday, the Calcutta High Court passed an order and the observations by the bench headed by the Chief Justice are very worrying and show that law and order has collapsed in West Bengal. It is important to ask a few questions from 'Nir'Mamata Banerjee. What Mamata Banerjee's 'jungle raj' in West Bengal is doing?" he asked.

The BJP leader also said that the party stands firmly with the family members of the deceased.

#WATCH | BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia says, " After reading the judgement and media reports, it seems like Mamata Banerjee is trying to protect someone. She will have to answer today...the first 48 hours are very important for evidence collection and Mamata Banerjee gave a statement… pic.twitter.com/RSxlo851aP

— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2024

The West Bengal Doctors' Forum wrote to the CBI on August 13, alleging that attempts were being made to tamper with evidence by carrying out construction work near the spot where the body of the female doctor was found.

The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor with severe injury marks was found on August 9 inside the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital's chest department. The preliminary autopsy report suggested she was subjected to violent sexual assault.