New Delhi: More than 100 former bureaucrats have written an open letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about her government’s handling of the recent rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar Medical college in Kolkata.
The Constitutional Conduct Group, comprising many former IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, officers have written the letter, which has 103 signatories.
The letter states that the Constitutional Conduct Group, comprises former civil servants who have served in the All India and Central Services in various capacities and who have no affiliation with any political party but are strongly committed to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of India.
“It is widely rumoured that a racket, involving sex, drugs, human organs and medical waste was being run in the RG Kar hospital and that the unfortunate victim of this case had reported these facts to her seniors, but no action was taken. If this is a wild allegation maliciously reported in a section of the media, why has it not been appropriately countered by the State Government?” says the letter.
The letter questions that why the rape and murder of the trainee doctor was reported to her parents in instalments, first as illness, then as death, then as suicide, and only finally as a case of rape and murder.
“Why was the Principal of RG Kar Medical College transferred from the college, only to be accommodated as the Principal of another prestigious medical college in Kolkata?” says the letter written by the Constitutional Conduct Group.
“The parents of the murdered trainee doctor seem to have reported that other junior doctors were complicit in this rape-murder. If true, it is a very, very serious matter and strictest action needs to be taken against these doctors, as well as to prevent the possibility of anything like this happening in the future,” it adds.
The letter raises the question that why were the hospital premises, the scene of such a heinous crime, ended up being left unprotected by the police resulting in the destruction of many areas a few days later by vandals who had apparently infiltrated the protest groups.
“You are the head of the State Government of Bengal as well as Minister for the Home and Health Departments. Therefore, it was for you and your officers to take steps to prevent the commission of the crime, or solve it quickly before the CBI stepped in. What is the point, then, in your leading protest marches? Who or what are you protesting against?” says the letter.
“We are also puzzled by your saying that the enquiry by the CBI should be completed by Sunday, August 18, and the guilty persons should be hanged. This is obviously playing to the gallery since you know as well as anyone else that investigation of such a serious crime cannot be completed in a few days. Besides, all crimes have to be tried by the courts, and sentences on conviction can only be passed by them. Demanding that the guilty persons be hanged will not influence the court’s decision,” it adds.
The letter adds that the signatories are waiting for the state government to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future, which include upgrading security arrangements and facilities in every medical college.
