In a significant turn of events on Friday, 16th July, the West Bengal police detained a young man following his critical remarks about Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on social media. The criticism was linked to the harrowing incident at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where a junior doctor was tragically raped and murdered.

The individual at the center of this controversy is 23-year-old Sagnik Laha, who is currently pursuing his studies at a polytechnic institute. Laha expressed his dissent towards the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader using strong language, which has been described as ‘derogatory’ towards Mamata Banerjee.

The backlash was swift, with fervent supporters of the TMC quickly mobilizing against him. His online outburst eventually led to a formal police complaint, culminating in his apprehension at the Alipurduar Junction late Friday evening.

Sagnik Laha faced charges under multiple sections: 79, 294, and 296A of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with section 67A of the Information Technology Act, as outlined by his legal representative, Deepshika Roy. The severity of the accusations brought against him was underscored by the presence of a non-bailable charge, amidst others that were bailable.

Presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Laha was handed a 14-day custody sentence. His lawyer relayed that, despite the possibility of bail for the bailable offences, it was denied, resulting in a custody period extending until the end of August. "There is one non-bailable charge, others are bailable offences…His bail has been rejected. He will be in custody till 31st August," Roy explained.

During an emotional interaction with ETV Bharat, Laha shared his struggles while in detention, noting the support of his parents as his main source of strength during this trying period. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “I am trying to pass my days because of my parents. Thank you so much.”

Amid protests over rape-murder of junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital, Mamata govt transfers two doctors including wife of ex-principal Sandip Ghosh

The Mamata Banerjee administration made a significant move on Friday, 16th August, by transferring two notable doctors from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital amid a wave of protests. These protests have been ignited by the appalling rape-murder incident involving a junior doctor at the same institution.

A comprehensive reshuffle was enacted as disclosed in a notification [pdf] from the Health and Family Welfare Department, which saw a total of 42 doctors being reassigned across various state medical facilities. This action appears to be a response to the growing unrest and demands for justice within the medical community.

Among those transferred were Dr. Sandipa Das and Dr. Sangeeta Pal. Notably, Dr. Pal is married to the former principal of RG Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, who controversially referred to the aforementioned murder as a 'suicide'. Dr. Pal, who had been serving in the Department of Microbiology at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, will now take up a similar role at the Government Medical College & Hospital in Jalpaiguri.

Another key transfer involved Dr. Supriya Das, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who has been moved to the same position at Malda College.

The government’s decision to transfer these doctors has drawn sharp criticism from the medical community, particularly the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA). The association expressed its disapproval through a vehement tweet: “We strongly condemn @MamataOfficial @BengalGovernor unjust transfer of faculty members who supported our protest. These punitive measures will not silence our demands for justice and security. We stand united and resolute in our fight.”

This move by the government has added fuel to the ongoing debates about administrative responses to internal crises within state-run institutions and the implications for professional and personal lives of those involved.

I don’t understand whom she is protesting against or from whom she is demanding punishment: Nirbhaya’s mother questions Mamata Banerjee

Asha Devi, the mother of Nirbhaya, vocalized her profound dismay and confusion regarding the response to the rape and murder of a female resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Her daughter's tragic fate, which sparked national outrage and calls for legal reforms in 2012, brings a harrowing resonance to this recent incident, which she labeled as “the most unfortunate thing that has happened.”

In her critique, Asha Devi lamented the current atmosphere where political factions are more engaged in a blame game rather than addressing the core issues at hand: the safety of women and the effectiveness of the legal framework meant to protect them. "Governments are accusing each other and holding protests instead of focusing on the case, women’s safety, and addressing shortcomings in the law," she expressed, pointing out a missed focus on genuine resolution.

Through a video message, her confusion and frustration were palpable as she addressed the actions of West Bengal's Chief Minister directly. She questioned Mamata Banerjee's stance, wondering aloud about the targets of her protests and demands for capital punishment, given her significant administrative powers. “The Health Ministry and the police fall under the Chief Minister’s jurisdiction. I don’t understand whom she is protesting against or from whom she is demanding capital punishment. The law is in her hands; the government can at least ensure the case is properly presented to the lower court,” Asha Devi articulated.

Reflecting on the broader societal implications, she pointed out the cyclical nature of such tragedies and the superficial invocation of her daughter's ordeal: “What have we learned from the Nirbhaya incident? What changes have been made to the system? … We are still stuck in 2012.” Her words underscore a persistent stagnation in systemic reform and public safety measures.

Her call to action was clear as she demanded immediate and decisive punishment for all involved in the heinous act, highlighting the ambiguity surrounding the attack's specifics and the broader implications for safety in supposedly secure environments like hospitals. “If more than one person was involved, all the accused must be apprehended immediately and punished without delay. It is still unclear whether the victim was assaulted by one person or gang-raped. Such a heinous crime occurred while a doctor was on duty in a hospital. If doctors are not safe inside hospitals, what hope is there for the safety of ordinary women and girls?” she questioned gravely.

The incident at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, which led to nationwide strikes and protests, along with the vandalism of the protest site and hospital campus on August 14, only served to amplify the urgency for robust responses and safeguarding measures within such critical institutions.

Kolkata doctor murder-rape: Doctors continue protest at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital

The tumult and unrest continue unabated at the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, where students and junior doctors are vehemently protesting the brutal murder and alleged sexual assault of a female colleague that occurred on August 9 in Kolkata. This tragic event has not only shaken the local community but also resonated throughout India, prompting a series of protests in various major cities including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Mumbai.

Amidst growing concerns over the handling of the case and a palpable distrust in local law enforcement's ability to bring the perpetrators to justice, the Calcutta High Court intervened. The court's order led to the transfer of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), marking a significant shift from the initial state police investigation. This move reflects the heightened demand for transparency and accountability in the investigation process, given the severity of the allegations and the national outcry it has provoked.

The pervasive impact of the incident was highlighted earlier on August 9, when it was reported that a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty. This horrendous act sparked nationwide strikes and protests by the medical community, underscoring the urgency for systemic changes to ensure safety and justice within healthcare institutions.

The situation escalated on August 14 when the protest site and the hospital campus at RG Kar were subjected to vandalism by a mob, an event that forced security personnel to step in and disperse the crowd. This violent disruption further amplified concerns about the safety of protesters and the volatile environment surrounding the protests.

In response to the ongoing demonstrations and to prevent further violence, the Kolkata police took stringent measures by imposing Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly known as Section 144 of the CrPC). This legal provision was enforced around the Medical College and Hospital to maintain law and order, effective from August 18 for a duration of seven days.