Kolkata Police have initiated a suo motu inquiry into the alleged injury of the mother of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder victim during a protest march on Saturday. The march was organized to mark the one-year anniversary of the victim's death.
The victim's mother claimed she sustained injuries to her forehead, hands, and back during a baton charge by the police. She alleged that her 'shankha' (traditional conch shell bangle) was broken in the scuffle and that she was struck with a baton by police personnel. The incident purportedly occurred near the Park Street crossing, where police used batons to disperse protesters attempting to breach barricades en route to the state secretariat, Nabanna.
Following the alleged assault, the victim's mother was admitted to a private hospital. A hospital official stated that she underwent a CT scan and other tests to assess the extent of her injuries. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, who visited the mother in the hospital, said that she told him she was injured during a baton charge by the police. The hospital later discharged her, stating that her vital parameters were stable.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma stated that the injury to the victim's mother was regrettable and should not have happened. He initially dismissed the woman's claims but later assured a thorough investigation into the allegations, even without a formal complaint. Verma said the police would review footage from cameras, drones, and body cameras to investigate the allegations.
The police have denied using any force against the victim's parents. However, Deputy Commissioner Harikrishna Pai stated that the allegations would be investigated.
The victim's father alleged that the hospital authorities were initially reluctant to admit his wife due to pressure from the state government. He and his wife were participating in the Nabanna march to seek justice for their daughter. "Why are they stopping us like this? All we want is to reach Nabanna and seek justice for my daughter," the victim's mother stated.
In connection with the protest march, Kolkata Police have registered seven FIRs against BJP leaders, including MLAs Ashok Dinda and Agnimitra Paul, and Kaustab Bagchi, for allegedly obstructing and threatening police officers on duty.
The rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital last year led to widespread protests and public outcry. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of the case, and the Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI probe into the matter. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also took suo motu cognizance of the incident.
