CBI questions ex-R G Kar principal for 6th day; protests continue in Kolkata

 

Central force takes over security at Kolkata hospital as fear continues

The recognition of the central force comes after the Supreme Court yesterday questioned the Kolkata Police's response when a mob attacked the RG Kar Medical University and Hospital.

Senior officers of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who guard airports and Parliament, visited the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata this morning for the recognition. The paramilitary force was tasked with securing the public hospital after a shocking incident of vandalism following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor shocked the nation. Senior CISF officer K Pratap Singh, who visited the hospital this morning, told the media: "We are doing our job. We have come here on a mission. We will finish the job, then senior officers will inform you . I am doing my duty as ordered by higher authority.”

The recognition of the central force comes after the Supreme Court yesterday questioned the response of the city police when a mob attacked the hospital in the early hours of August 15 and damaged medical equipment and supplies in two floors. The mob violence occurred during a "night shoot" demonstration in Kolkata and several other cities to demand justice for the doctor. "We cannot understand how the state was not prepared to deal with the hospital vandalism incident," the Supreme Court said yesterday.

The court noted that most of the hospital's doctors had left the campus after the August 15 mob violence. It is necessary to create a safe environment for doctors to return and treat patients. Advocate General Tushar Mehta later assured the court that central forces would guard the place. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, said he had no objection.

A large protest took place in the hospital to demand justice for the victim of the horrible rape and murder.

The sixth day of interrogation of the former director

Sandip Ghosh, ex-principal of RG Kar Medical College, visited the CBI office in Kolkata this morning for the sixth round of questioning in the investigation of this heinous crime. Mr. Ghosh, whose handling of the situation after the discovery of the doctor's body in a seminar hall on August 9 has come under scrutiny, refused to respond to media queries. In the last five days, Sandip Ghosh was interrogated for a total of 64 hours, according to CBI officials.

Separately, the Bengal government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of financial irregularities during Sandip Ghosh's tenure as director of the state institution.

3 officers are suspended for vandalism

Red-faced after the Supreme Court's remarks on the police response during the mob attack, the Bengal government has now suspended three officers in connection with the vandalism incident.

Among the suspended police officers are two deputy superintendents of police, sources told news agency PTI. "Three officers have been suspended... "Two of them are sub-superintendents of police and one is an inspector," said an official, adding that further investigations into the matter are underway.

Doctors still live in fear

The AFP news agency spoke to female doctors who protested at the hospital. One of them was on night shift, like the victim, just two days before the incident. "I was on night shift just two days before this incident," he said. "What he did is what we all do: rest when we can, where we are."