West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sharply criticized political parties for what she described as "indulging in cheap politics" over the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. The case, which has drawn significant public outrage, led to intense scrutiny of the state's handling of the investigation, eventually resulting in the Calcutta High Court transferring the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In a press conference on Wednesday, Banerjee accused the opposition, specifically targeting the CPI(M) and BJP, of exploiting the situation for political gain rather than standing in solidarity with the victim's family. "Instead of standing with the family, CPI(M) and BJP are indulging in cheap politics. They think they can do a Bangladesh here. But let me tell you, I am not greedy for power,” Banerjee asserted, reflecting her frustration with the ongoing criticism.
Banerjee defended her government's response to the incident, detailing her involvement from the moment she was informed of the crime. She claimed that she monitored the situation throughout the night, maintaining close contact with the police commissioner and the victim's parents. "What have we not done? What action did we not take? As soon as I came to know of the incident, I spoke to the police commissioner and spoke to the parents of the woman," she said.
The Chief Minister highlighted the swift actions taken by the Kolkata Police, including the arrest of the accused within 12 hours and the thorough investigation that followed, which involved DNA testing, CCTV footage analysis, and other forensic procedures. "Police officials escorted the dead body of the victim, and a thorough investigation like DNA testing, CCTV footage, sample testing - everything was carried out, and within 12 hours, the murderer was arrested,” Banerjee stated.
Despite these efforts, the Calcutta High Court's decision to hand over the case to the CBI has added another layer of complexity to the situation. Banerjee acknowledged the court's ruling, stating that her government would fully cooperate with the central agency. "We will completely follow the High Court's guidelines and we are cooperating with CBI," she affirmed.
Banerjee also announced her intention to lead a rally on August 17, advocating for the death penalty for the accused. "I want the accused to be hanged. I hope the CBI will give justice by next Sunday," she declared, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring that justice is served.
The case has become a flashpoint in West Bengal's already charged political landscape, with various parties seeking to leverage the tragedy to further their agendas. Banerjee's strong response underscores the sensitive nature of the issue and the broader implications it holds for the state's governance and law enforcement credibility.
