Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: ‘Reclaim the Night’ march to take place at midnight on anniversary of crime

Sep 8, 2024 12:22 PM IST

**September 8, 2024, 12:22 PM IST**  

In Kolkata, protests continue in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital, which occurred a month ago. The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for September 9, with a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud taking suo moto cognisance of the case. Protests have spread nationwide, calling for swift justice.

**BJP Leader Accuses Sandip Ghosh of Violence**  

West Bengal BJP leader, Dilip Ghosh, has accused former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh of being a central figure in hospital corruption and violence. Ghosh alleged that Ghosh had long been involved in illegal activities at the hospital and that many people are now coming forward to reveal previously hidden facts.

**Durga Puja Preparations Amid Protests**  

As Durga Puja preparations begin, public opinion is divided. Some activists, like Debalina Dey, have called for celebrations to take a backseat, emphasising that the focus should remain on justice for the victim. However, organisers like Partha Ghosh believe the festival should proceed while expressing solidarity with the protestors.

**Anti-Rape Bill Sent to President for Approval** 

 

Governor CV Ananda Bose has forwarded the Aparajita Women and Child Bill, 2024, to President Droupadi Murmu for approval. The bill, passed unanimously in the assembly, advocates for the death penalty for rape convicts whose actions result in the victim’s death or vegetative state. This bill follows the tragic RG Kar Hospital incident.

**Doctors Forum Requests Governor's Intervention** 

 

The West Bengal Service Doctors Forum has appealed to Governor Bose for intervention. Around 200 doctors and nurses participated in a 2-km march, demanding justice for the trainee doctor. Their calls for accountability and transparency resonate throughout the city.

**VHP Women’s Wing Blames Bengal Government**  

Durga Vahini, the women's wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), held a protest march accusing the Bengal government of complicity in the case. Ritu Singh, chief of Durga Vahini, claimed that the state’s involvement was evident due to irregularities in the investigation.

**BJP MP Urges Investigation into Hospital Misuse** 

 

BJP MP Jyotiramay Singh Mahato has written to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, urging a probe into the alleged misuse of RG Kar Hospital. Mahato accused the Bengal government of shielding corrupt officials and tampering with evidence at the crime scene.

**Madhya Pradesh CM Criticises Opposition Silence**  

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, criticised the opposition for remaining silent on the Kolkata case while politicising the Ujjain rape incident. Yadav suggested that those politicising rape cases should focus on their own states' issues instead.

**Bengal Medical Council Issues Notice to Sandip Ghosh**  

The Bengal Medical Council has issued a show cause notice to Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Hospital, over allegations of financial irregularities. Ghosh had previously been questioned by the CBI and subjected to a polygraph test.

**CBI Narrows Investigation to Prime Suspect**  

The CBI has reportedly focused its investigation on Sanjay Roy, now considered the prime suspect in the case. Initial concerns about gang rape have been dismissed, and the investigation continues to delve into Roy’s involvement.

**‘Reclaim the Night’ March Planned for Today**

  

A ‘Reclaim the Night’ march will take place today in Kolkata, marking one month since the RG Kar Hospital tragedy. Similar protests are expected in Barrackpore, Barasat, and other locations, with thousands anticipated to participate.

**Ganesh Puja Committees Call for Justice**  

Several Ganesh Puja committees in Kolkata have reduced their festivities, opting instead to create poster boards demanding justice for the victim. Messages of support for the victim’s family and calls for a swift resolution have taken centre stage in their celebrations.

**Supreme Court Sets Next Hearing for September 9**  

The Supreme Court has listed September 9 as the next hearing date in the RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case. The nation remains watchful as the judiciary examines the progress in this tragic and widely publicised case.