Kolkata, Oct. 9 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday described the RG Kar rape and murder case as "heinous and savage", accusing former CM Mamata Banerjee of orchestrating the vandalism at the hospital on August 14, 2024, days after the crime. Addressing the ninth National Medi-Vision convention of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, he alleged that the then local TMC MLA Atin Ghosh had mobilised people to vandalise the crime scene with the help of Mamata Banerjee and Kolkata Police.
Adhikari warned that Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam, who held the same post during the incident, would be removed if allegations that he ordered the demolition of the seminar room were proved. He said he was examining the authenticity of the allegations. Ratna Debnath, the victim's mother and BJP MLA, alleged that attempts had been made to suppress the crime and destroy evidence.
The Chief Minister promised justice for the victim, known as Abhaya, and said his government had ordered a fresh probe after assuming office. Three IPS officers, including former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and former deputy commissioners Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta, were suspended on May 15 for alleged mishandling and dereliction of duty. He also cited action against doctors accused of corruption.
Welcoming delegates, Adhikari invoked Syama Prasad Mookerjee, describing him as Bengal's architect who helped prevent the region's merger with Pakistan during Partition. Targeting the Left-leaning Jadavpur University students' union, he criticised its alleged pro-Kashmir slogans and contrasted them with Mookerjee's contribution to India.
Calling himself a product of student politics, Adhikari also promised to resume college students' elections, which the previous TMC government had indefinitely suspended.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.