The horrific rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has sparked outrage across the country. The incident, which took place at R G Kar Medical College during the doctor’s night duty, has led to ongoing protests by doctors outside the hospital. Amidst this, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal has come under fire, with calls for his removal surfacing during a hearing in the High Court.
High Court Criticism
During the High Court hearing, lawyer Firoz Edulji brought up Commissioner Vineet Goyal’s role, asserting that justice would not be served if he remained in charge. Edulji also referenced a past case, the 2013 Kamduni incident, where he accused Goyal of a cover-up that led to the acquittal of the accused.
In the Kamduni case, a second-year BA student was abducted while returning to her village, gang-raped, and then murdered, with her body found in a severely mutilated state. Although the lower court sentenced the accused, they were later acquitted by the High Court. Edulji reminded the court that Vineet Goyal was the Inspector General (CID) during that time and alleged that his actions contributed to the weakening of the case, resulting in the accused being set free.
Concerns Over Delays
Chief Justice of the High Court emphasized the importance of timely proceedings, warning that any delay could derail the case. Responding to this, Edulji expressed his concern, recalling how the Kamduni case was similarly mishandled, and fearing a repeat with the current investigation. “Back then, I was the defense lawyer for the accused, but this time I am fighting for the victim,” Edulji said, arguing that the involvement of Commissioner Goyal could jeopardize the current case.
Commissioner Goyal Under Scrutiny
Edulji also criticized the appointment of Vineet Goyal as Commissioner, arguing that he should be removed from the position. The situation has further escalated following the recent attack on protestors at R G Kar Medical College, leading to vandalism at the site. When questioned about this, Commissioner Goyal lashed out at the media, accusing them of spreading rumors about the destruction of evidence. He insisted that it was impossible to eliminate evidence in such a manner and that responsible authorities were being maligned without cause.
Public and Political Reactions
The case has drawn significant attention, not just in the courts but also politically. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a march in response to the incident, with party leaders justifying the need for such a protest. The Chief Justice, however, expressed concern over the involvement of large crowds in sensitive cases, pointing out the impracticality of handling such situations with thousands of people.
The controversy surrounding Commissioner Vineet Goyal’s role and the potential for justice to be compromised has added another layer of complexity to an already tragic and distressing case.