Doctor Rape-Murder Case Highlights: National Task Force formed by Supreme Court to have its first meeting on Aug 27

Kolkata, Thane incidents put focus of Fast Track Special Courts

A nationwide uproar over the rape-murder of a Kolkata medic and the sexual assault on two kindergarten girls in Thane has led to a demand for fast-track trial in cases of crimes against women and children.

While several opposition leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, are demanding speedy justice for the victims, central government officials said a fast track court scheme launched nearly five years ago has disposed of cases in a timely manner.

The government launched the Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) scheme in 2019 and since then, these courts have disposed of more than 2.53 lakh cases.

Officials in the Ministry of Law's Department of Justice said in some trials, FTSCs convicted people in a considerably "short time", ranging from four days to four months.

-PTI

Crimes against women unpardonable sin, guilty should not be spared: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday termed crimes against women an unpardonable sin, adding the guilty should not be spared.

Speaking at the ‘Lakhpati Didi Sammelan' in north Maharashtra's Jalgaon, Modi said the safety of women should be a priority.

“The safety of mothers, sisters, and daughters is the country's priority. I have repeatedly raised this issue from the Red Fort. Be it any state of the country, I understand the pain and anger of my sisters and daughters,” he said.

Modi said that he would tell every political party and state government that crime against women is an unpardonable sin. Whoever is guilty should not be spared, he added.

“Those helping the perpetrators of crimes against women should not be spared. Be it a hospital, school, government or police station, at whatever level negligence occurs, everyone should be held accountable.

“The message should go from top to bottom. This sin is unpardonable. Governments will come and go, but protecting life and women's dignity is a big responsibility of all of us, both as a society and as a government,” Modi said.

-PTI

Kolkata Ganesh puja committees to shun fanfare amid protests against doctor's rape-murder

As protests against the brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital continue in Kolkata and other places across the state, Ganesh Puja committees have decided to shun all pomp during the celebration this year.

One such organiser said the theme of its pandal will be the battle against rape.

The 15-year-old Shree Shree Ganesh Chaturthi Mahotsab at B B Block in the satellite township of Salt Lake has cancelled all the decorative lights from Chandernagore, a Bengal town known for innovative patterns of illumination.

-PTI

R G Kar Morgue's former clerk claims Sandip Ghosh asked for bribes for conducting autopsies: Report

-Times Now

Sandip Ghosh at CBI office today

Polygraph test of former R G Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh today

Kolkata medic's rape-murder: CBI summons two West Bengal police officers

Kolkata Assistant Police Commissioner Ram Thapa arrived at the CBI Office, CGO Complex in Kolkata, earlier today

RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Principal Manas Kumar Bandyopadhyay visited the CBI Anti-corruption Branch office in Kolkata

West Bengal child rights body takes note of a rape threat to 11-year-old daughter of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee

The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken suo motu cognizance of a video on social media from a protest rally. The clip had one person in the gathering who openly threatened the minor daughter of Banerjee with rape and also offered a 'reward' of Rs 10 crore to anyone who committed the crime.

CBI names RG Kar Hospital ex-principal Sandip Ghosh in corruption FIR for non-bailable offences

Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, in the FIR the agency has filed in connection with its probe into the alleged financial irregularities at the institution during his tenure.

The agency has slapped Section 120B of IPC (criminal conspiracy) read with Section 420 IPC (cheating and dishonesty) and Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018) which covers unlawful acceptance of gratification by a public servant.

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Several Durga Puja committees have decided to reject Bengal govt's honorarium as gesture of protest

As calls for justice for the RG Kar victim intensify, several Durga Puja committees in West Bengal have rejected the Rs 85,000 honorarium offered by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying they cannot accept help from the government when women have taken to the streets demanding security.

Rina Das, president of Bhadrakali Bouthan Sangha in Hooghly, explained, "We have decided to boycott this grant this year to honour the sentiments of our members who are deeply upset over the brutal attack on the postgraduate trainee doctor at her workplace. We had received this grant for several years in the past."

Prasenjit Bhattacharya from Uttarpara Shakti Sangha echoed similar sentiments, saying, "This is a symbolic protest. We will not accept the money until those involved in this heinous crime are apprehended and brought to justice."

Other committees, including Lalgola Krishnapur Sanyasitala in Murshidabad and Bethuadahari Town Club in Nadia, have also notified local authorities of their decision to decline the grant.

The Hiland Park Durgostav Committee in Jadavpur has similarly rejected the grant to show solidarity with the victim's family.

The Forum for Durgotsab, which represents community Durga Puja committees, urged to keep the festival separate from the tragic incident.

Partha Ghosh, a senior office-bearer, said, "We are grief-stricken and devastated by the tragedy and demand exemplary punishment for all those involved. We want justice be delivered at the earliest but don't know why this is being linked to Bengal's Durga Puja which has got UNESCO distinction."

Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee’s key organiser Sajal Ghosh, also a senior BJP leader, had earlier called on all puja committees to reject the honorarium to send a clear message of disapproval regarding the state’s handling of the case.

"While we have not accepted the grant for several years, I urge every committee to reject it to convey our stance unequivocally," Ghosh had said.

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanata Majumdar meets the family members of the victim of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident

Majumdar said, "I have said it from the protesting site yesterday to light a candle in her name, our party workers will do this. I have started this at her home with her family for the peace of the departed soul and justice for the deceased... The video that has come up today, shows how the crime scene has been trampled... I don't think any evidence would be there. A case should be registered against those who can be seen in that video for tampering with evidence. CBI is taking time and it has to conduct polygraph tests and all as the evidence has been tampered with..."

National Task Force formed by the Supreme Court to make recommendations for safety, security and working conditions of medical professionals to have its first meeting tomorrow: Sources