Amid Outrage Over Kolkata Doctor’s Death, Mamata Banerjee Seeks Tougher Anti-Rape Laws in Letter to PM Modi

Kolkata/New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to introduce stricter laws to combat rape, following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

I have written this letter today to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India: pic.twitter.com/pyVIiiV1mn

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 22, 2024

“Such serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes. Setting up of fast-track special courts for speedy trials in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation to ensure quick justice. Trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” the letter deliberated.

The horrific incident has sparked widespread public anger and intense criticism of the state government, particularly over the vandalism at the crime scene.

The Supreme Court, expressing concern over the incident, questioned the state government’s failure to manage the situation and control the hospital vandalism. In response, Mamata Banerjee blamed the BJP and Left parties, accusing them of attempting to destroy evidence linked to the case.

The trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered in the seminar hall of the hospital, with her body discovered on August 9. Following the incident, Banerjee vowed to seek the death penalty for the perpetrator.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the probe to the CBI, citing “serious lapses” by the hospital administration and lack of significant progress in the investigation.