'Provide photos proving rape-murder crime scene intact': Court to Bengal
The Calcutta High Court on Friday asked the West Bengal government to submit photos to prove that the crime scene of the recent rape and murder of a junior doctor at the RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata is still intact. The court was hearing a batch of public interest litigation (PIL) petitions concerning the case and ensuing unrest.
Court asked if renovation work done to 'wipe out' evidence
A bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya asked the state to submit a reply to allegations that the renovation work was carried out to "wipe out" evidence from the crime scene. The state counsel denied the allegations, adding that the renovation work was for a restroom for doctors. The court, however, questioned the timing of the move.
'What was the urgency?'; court questions state
The chief justice said, "What was the urgency? ...You go to any district court complex, see if ladies have any restrooms! I say this with responsibility. What has the PWD done?" He added, "We'll shift patients to other hospital, close the (RG Kar) hospital. That will be the best. All the stories - 'within 12 hours rest room have to be provided' - see the condition of the restrooms in the court complexes!"
Court urged state to show more empathy
The court also urged the state to show more empathy in the matter. "You should also be disturbed as a citizen of West Bengal, born and brought up here! It should pain you also! It pains me!" Chief Justice Sivagnanam said. Concerns were also raised in court over vandalism that took place near the hospital during protests on August 15 night.
'If 7,000 people gathered, how did state police not know'
The state counsel told the court that it was difficult to contain the 7,000-strong mob that the demonstration had swelled into. To this, the court replied, "If 7,000 people gathered, it was hard to believe that state police did not know. When so much commotion is going on, doctors on strike, you should have cordoned off entire area." "Absolute failure of state machinery...how do you think the doctors would be able to work fearlessly?" Chief Justice Sivagnanam asked.
