'I am ready to touch your feet ... ', West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee appeals to doctors to end protest as CBI takes over RG Kar rape-murder case
Times of India | 15 August 2024
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed relief as the Calcutta High Court directed the CBI to investigate a young doctor's rape-murder. KOLKATA: CM Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said she was "relieved" that the Calcutta high court had asked CBI to probe the rape-murder of a young postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and added that the central agency should now ensure capital punishment for the culprit. She also pleaded with the agitating doctors to return to work.
Speaking at a pre-Independence Day programme in Behala, CM Banerjee said, "I had said it myself that we would hand over the case to CBI on Sunday.I am relieved that I do not need to do it now. Give death penalty to those who are actually responsible for the crime but innocents should not be punished. We will follow the Calcutta High Court order and help CBI in whatever way possible."
In a direct appeal to the protesting doctors she said, "I plead before you, if needed I am ready to touch your feet if that satisfies you, to join work. It's been five days that you started your protest. No one has stopped you. But three people have lost their lives, one of them a child and another a pregnant woman. I am appealing before you publicly."
Banerjee said for any investigation, one needed to give time to police. "I had set a deadline till Sunday. You cannot take action against anyone without proper investigation. I respect both senior and junior doctors.
I cannot arrest people without proper investigation. Since our targeted time was till Sunday, we want the case to be solved by Sunday. The CBI should ensure this," she said.