Calcutta High Court comes down heavily on Mamata government
The Calcutta High Court slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on Friday over the vandalism of the premises of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on the night of August 14 during a midnight protest against the rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor, calling it a “absolute failure of state machinery.”
“We will close down the hospital. We will shift everyone. Close the hospital. How many patients are there?” the court asked.
The high court chastised the state police, claiming that they were unable to protect themselves; how can these doctors function fearlessly? A bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam inquired, “So they (the police) couldn’t protect their own men?” A deplorable state of affairs. How will the doctors there work fearlessly?
Also read: Doctors hold nationwide protest over Kolkata doctor rape-murder
The high court chastised the state police, claiming that they were unable to protect themselves; how can these doctors function fearlessly? A bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam inquired, “So they (the police) couldn’t protect their own men?” A deplorable state of affairs. How will the doctors there work fearlessly?
While responding to the bench headed by chief justice, the government said as quoted by Live Law, “… there was a mob of around 7,000. The number suddenly swelled… I have videos. They broke barricades… tear gas was fired and 15 police personnel were injured. Deputy Commissioner was injured. Police vehicles damaged. Emergency room ransacked but place of occurrence the crime scene was protected.”
Also read: Kolkata rape victim’s family initially told she died by suicide
The Chief Justice reprimanded the authorities for failing to handle the situation, claiming that 7,000 individuals cannot come walking. In its findings, the court emphasized that such instances have a substantial influence on doctors and medical personnel.
The court also stated that it is the state government’s responsibility to provide an environment in which medical professionals can execute their duties without fear of violence.
