The Calcutta High Court didn’t hold back on Friday when it slammed the West Bengal government for its handling of the vandalism at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, which took place late at night on August 14, saw a group of protestors wreak havoc on the hospital premises during a demonstration against the tragic rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor.
The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court made it clear that the court had taken up the matter after being flooded with emails detailing the chaos that had erupted at the hospital. His words were sharp and to the point: “This is an absolute failure of state machinery,” he said, clearly frustrated with the state’s response. He questioned how doctors are supposed to work fearlessly when even the police, who were present at the scene, couldn’t protect themselves or the hospital.
The court also didn’t shy away from criticizing the state government for not imposing Section 144 of the CrPC, which could have prevented such a large gathering in the first place. “When so much commotion is going on, you should have cordoned the area,” the Chief Justice pointed out. His disbelief was palpable when he added, “7,000 people can’t come walking,” stressing that the authorities should have anticipated and prepared for the scale of the protest.
The Kolkata Police later reported that around 40 people, posing as protestors, had stormed the hospital. They caused significant damage, smashing up the Emergency Ward, the nursing station, the medicine store, and part of the Out Patients Department (OPD). The attackers didn’t stop there—they also destroyed CCTV cameras, overturned a police vehicle, and damaged several two-wheelers. Unfortunately, some police officers were injured in the chaos.
In the wake of the incident, the Calcutta High Court has transferred the investigation into the trainee doctor's death from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This decision reflects the court’s determination to ensure that the investigation is thorough and unbiased.
The vandalism at RG Kar Medical College has left many questioning the state’s ability to maintain law and order, especially in such critical moments. The court’s stern words are a wake-up call, pushing for better protection and accountability to prevent such incidents from happening again.
Tags:
Global News