‘Fingers will be chopped off’ vs ‘bullets will be fired’: Bengal’s bitter political war over Kolkata rape-murder case echoes in SC

NEW DELHI: The bitter political narrative over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in West Bengal’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital found an echo in the Supreme Court on Thursday prompting the top court to ask parties not to politicize the issue. “Don’t politicize this … ,” Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said as lawyers mentioned in top court certain remarks made by leaders from both sides of the political divide.

Kapil Sibal, who was representing the West Bengal government, urged the top court to ensure that no one takes advantage of the situation as the status report and affidavit had already been filed by the state government. Sibal then went on to urge the three-judge bench to also ensure that no provocative statements were made since the investigation was now being carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

However, there was an immediate counter to Sibal’s remarks as solicitor general Tushar Mehta highlighted a statement made by a ruling Trinamool Congress minister. “We have a statement of the sitting minister of West Bengal saying if anyone says anything against our leader, his fingers will be chopped off,” he said and added “no one should make any comments.” 

This drew a sharp retort from Kapil Sibal, who said “then I will read the statement of leader of opposition in West Bengal. Suvendu Adhikari had said bullets will be fired.”

SC bench Kolkata

The attacks and counterattacks between the top lawyers prompted the CJI to urge political parties not to politicize the issue. “Parties have to realise … don’t politicize this … the law will take its course and we are ensuring that the law will take its course,” CJI Chandrachud said.

The CJI further said that the top court was sensitive to the issue of welfare and safety of doctors in future as well. “We are not just laying guidelines but we are giving enforcement directions to the governments,” the CJI said.

The ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP in West Bengal have been engaged in a fierce war of words over the brutal assault and murder of the junior doctor. The victim’s body was found with severe injury marks inside the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar hospital’s chest department on the morning of August 9. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. However, on August 13, the Calcutta high court ordered the transfer of the probe from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which started its investigation on August 14.

The BJP has been at the forefront of protests across the state demanding the resignation of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. It has also targeted the opposition’s INDIA bloc for not speaking out on the horrific incident.

Congress, however, also organised demonstrations in the city demanding justice and heightened security for medical professionals. Rahul Gandhi also criticised the handling of the case and said it raised “serious questions on the hospital and the local administration.” His remarks drew sharp criticism from TMC with its leader Kunal Ghosh giving a Siddaramaiah barb.

Mamata, who has been on the backfoot after massive outrage over the incident, had earlier alleged that the Left (Vaam) was in connivance with Ram ( Bharatiya Janata party) to create unrest in West Bengal. Her remarks had evoked strong reactions from all political parties.

Courtesy : TOI

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