Doctors Threaten Court Action Over Denied Protest Permission in Kolkata

KOLKATA: The West Bengal Joint Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF) has threatened to approach the Calcutta High Court after the Kolkata Police denied permission for their planned protest demonstration. The WBJDF, comprising five major doctors’ organizations, had scheduled a peaceful sit-in from December 17 to December 26 at Dorina Crossing, a significant intersection in central Kolkata. The demonstration aimed to demand the immediate filing of a supplementary chargesheet by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the RG Kar Medical College doctor’s murder and alleged rape case.

The Kolkata Police rejected the protest request on Monday, citing potential disruptions to traffic flow, particularly with the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations. The police argued that allowing such a demonstration at a busy intersection could lead to significant congestion and inconvenience to the general public. In an official email to the WBJDF, the police stated:
“Regarding your email dated December 15, you are hereby informed that, from a traffic management point of view, permission cannot be granted for your proposed event. There is every possibility of severe traffic jams and hardship to the public due to the said demonstration.”

Referring to past incidents, the police highlighted that similar gatherings by the doctors’ community had caused prolonged traffic snarls and disrupted commuters. The email further explained:
“Given the festive season, such an event at the proposed location will not only cause considerable inconvenience but may also disturb public peace.”

Undeterred by the rejection, the WBJDF announced their decision to take legal recourse. Dr. Rajeev Pandey, an official from WBJDF, mentioned, “We will approach the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday morning to seek permission for our peaceful protest.” The Forum had recently organized a march to the CBI office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake on Saturday to raise awareness about the issue.

The WBJDF’s protest revolves around the delayed CBI investigation into the death of a young doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim’s mother has also expressed her frustration and anguish over the lack of progress in the case. Speaking to a local news channel, she said:
“I still don’t know what happened to my daughter on August 9. Despite months of investigation, the CBI has failed to file a chargesheet. This delay allowed the hospital’s former principal, Sandeep Ghosh, and a police officer to secure bail.”

The tragic case began with the discovery of the young doctor’s semi-naked body on August 9. Initially, the local police conducted an investigation, which was subsequently transferred to the CBI amid mounting pressure and demands for impartial inquiry. The deceased doctor’s family has claimed that they provided the CBI with extensive information regarding the events of that night.

The mother of the deceased expressed her disbelief at the prolonged delays in the investigation. “We shared every possible detail about that night with the investigation agency. Yet, after 90 days, the CBI has failed to file a supplementary chargesheet. I cannot understand why the investigation has stalled,” she lamented.

On December 13, a Kolkata court granted bail to former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandeep Ghosh and East Tala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abhijit Mondal. Both were arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder but were released because the CBI could not submit a chargesheet within the mandated 90-day period.

In her appeal for justice, the grieving mother said:
“So many days have passed, and I am still going from door to door seeking answers and justice for my daughter. What the police accomplished in five days, the CBI has been doing for over four months. I am baffled that they haven’t yet filed the chargesheet despite months of investigation.”

The WBJDF’s demonstration, had it been permitted, aimed to intensify pressure on the authorities to expedite the probe and ensure justice. As the doctors await the High Court’s decision, they continue to voice their dissatisfaction over the investigation’s delays, standing in solidarity with the grieving family.

The protest reflects growing frustration not just within the medical community but also among citizens who view this case as a test of the justice system’s efficiency and accountability. The WBJDF maintains that their protests are peaceful and essential to highlight the need for timely justice, vowing to pursue every legal avenue to make their voices heard.

As the Calcutta High Court prepares to hear the doctors’ plea, the case continues to spark debates about delays in the criminal justice system and the role of investigating agencies in ensuring swift resolutions.