Badlapur case updates: Maharashtra Opposition declares Aug 24 bandh to protest Badlapur incident

Kolkata murder-rape case updates: Here are the news developments related to the Kolkata case

7:10 PM

Do we need public protest to file an FIR, asks Rahul Gandhi on Badlapur sexual abuse

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday asked that if we needed a public protest every time to regiter an FIR, while referring to Maharashtra's Badlapur sexual abuse case. In a post on X he said, “Do we need a movement, a public protest to lodge an FIR?” He further asked that why it has become so difficult for the victim to approach a local police station.

7:03 PM

'Kolkata rape-murder shows misgovernance, lack of accountability': Eminent persons demand justice

The brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata is a stark reminder of the deteriorating socio-cultural landscape and the grave threats faced by women in West Bengal, said a group of eminent persons, including former high court judges and ex-bureaucrats, on Wednesday as they demanded justice for the victim.

In a joint statement, they noted that while the incident highlights the prevailing "apathy, misgovernance and lack of accountability" in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, the state government's “apparent inclination” to shield perpetrators rather than protect victims is a “grave miscarriage of justice”.

7:01 PM

Badlapur protest spontaneous outburst of public anger; school linked to BJP leader, says Shiv Sena

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve on Wednesday rejected Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's claim that the massive protest in Badlapur over the sexual abuse of two minor girls was politically motivated, and termed the outrage as a spontaneous reflection of people's anger. Danve's party colleague and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut alleged the school in Badlapur, where the crime was committed by the school sweeper, is linked to a BJP leader.

5:37 PM

Union govt asks West Bengal govt for CISF deployment at RG Kar hospital

The Union home ministry on Wednesday wrote to the West Bengal chief secretary seeking deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, official sources said. The directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) came on the order of the Supreme Court.

A CISF team, led by a DIG rank officer, Wednesday morning surveyed the hospital complex where a 31-year-old trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered earlier this month.

5:03 PM

Badlapur sexual abuse case: Case lodged against 500 protesters, 66 arrested

An FIR was lodged against (nearly) 500 protesters while 66 individuals were taken into custody in connection with protests that erupted in Badlapur, Maharashtra’s Thane district. Read here for more details.

4:58 PM

Kolkata case LIVE: West Bengal government has completely failed, says CPI (M) leader D Raja

There is agitation going on in the state of West Bengal, in the city of Kolkata. Even our party is in the field. All the class and mass organizations led by our party are agitating. The state government has completely failed… And that is why yesterday also our party demanded the union government should enact a law to provide security to all medical personnel. Why union government is not taking any steps to bring laws to provide security to medical personnel? This is not a new demand. This demand has been there for a long time. Why union government is not agreeing?… whatever happened Mamata Banerjee should accept all responsibilities, and failures,”  CPI (M) General Secretary D Raja told ANI.

4:52 PM

72 held in Badlapur post violence during protest over sexual abuse case

72 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence during the protests over alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls, officials said.At least 17 city police personnel and around eight railway cops were injured in the incidents of stone-pelting at the railway station and other parts of Badlapur during the protest on Tuesday, they said.

4:13 PM

Kolkata doctor rape murder case LIVE updates: CBI questions ex-RG Kar principal for 6th day

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers interrogated  Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital regarding the rape and murder of a young doctor on night shift on hospital premises for the sixth consecutive day. According to media reports, Ghosh may also be subjected to a polygraph test. 

3:43 PM

Clear Shakti bill to ensure strict punishment for atrocities against women, kids: Ex- Maha HM Anil Deshmukh

Former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh on Wednesday demanded the clearance and implementation of the Shakti bill with provisions for the death penalty for atrocities against children and women, referring to the Badlapur school incident. Both the House of Maharashtra legislature had passed the Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020, and the Special Court & Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, 2020, three years ago when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was in power.

3:23 PM

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Ex-principal sold dead bodies, took bribes, allege former RG Kar official

A former deputy superintendent of RG Kar Medical College, Akhtar Ali, has accused Sandip Ghosh, the institution’s former principal, of a range of illegal activities, including the sale of unclaimed bodies and involvement in a biomedical waste trafficking network. Read here for more details.

3:20 PM

Badlapur sexual assault: MVA calls for Maharashtra bandh on Aug 24

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday called for a “Maharashtra bandh” on August 24 to protest against the alleged sexual assault on two young girls at a school in Badlapur of Thane district. MVA allies – Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) headed by Sharad Pawar – took the decision after a meeting here, said Vijay Wadettiwar, leader of opposition in the state assembly.

 

2:47 PM

Ex-TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty gets rape threats for backing doctors' protest

Bengali actor and former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP, Mimi Chakraborty, revealed that she has been receiving rape threats online after voicing her support for the ongoing protests by doctors in Kolkata. Read here for more details.

2:39 PM

News update: Maharashtra Opposition declares Aug 24 bandh to protest Badlapur incident

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) today called for a “Maharashtra bandh” on August 24 to protest against the alleged sexual assault on two young girls at a school in Badlapur of Thane district. MVA allies – Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) headed by Sharad Pawar – took the decision after a meeting.

2:25 PM

Badlapur protest politically motivated; most protestors outsiders: Maha CM Shinde

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday claimed that the protest at Badlapur in Thane district over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls was politically motivated and aimed at maligning the state government. "The protest was politically motivated because the protesters were not local residents. The local residents who were part of the protest could be counted on fingers," he said. He said state minister Girish Mahajan agreed to all demands of the protestors but they were still not ready to relent. "This means they just wanted to malign the government," he said.

2:06 PM

Doctors protest at Jantar Mantar on day 10, demand better workplace safety

"It's very important to understand that we are fighting for better working conditions in our own workplace," one of the protesting doctors said. Resident doctors arrived at Jantar Mantar at 11 am for the protest, marking their second gathering there after Saturday.

1:50 PM

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: AIIMS, LHMC doctors protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar

1:44 PM

Badlapur school sexual abuse case update: Lawyers refuse to take up accused's case

The Kalyan Bar Association has decided not to take up the case of accused Akshay Shinde, a sweeper. Most schools remained shut on Wednesday, a day after a massive protest at Badlapur railway station over the alleged sexual abuse of two four-year-old girls at a kindergarten.

1:13 PM

Calcutta HC adjourns hearing in PILs since SC seized of the matter

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday adjourned till September 4 the joint hearing of several PILs over the alleged rape and murder of a doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and vandalism by miscreants at the institution since the Supreme Court is already seized of the matter. 

1:06 PM

'Sent her to work, got her body': Father mourns Kolkata doctor's loss

The father of the junior doctor murdered during a rest break at a Kolkata hospital spoke about his daughter’s passion for medicine and the sacrifices their family made to support her dreams. Read here for more details.

12:51 PM

Kolkata rape-murder case: Resident doctors to protest at Jantar Mantar on day 10 of strike

Resident doctors will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday, the 10th day of their indefinite strike over the alleged rape and murder of a medic in a Kolkata hospital. Elective services in several government hospitals across the city have remained suspended due to the protests. AIIMS, GTB, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, along with Maulana Azad Medical College have released individual statements urging participation in the silent protest. 

12:38 PM

Kolkata rape-murder case: Members of AAP Women Wing stage protest at Rajghat in Delhi

12:34 PM

Schools shut in Badlapur after protest on sexual abuse

In the wake of a massive protest at Badlapur in Maharashtra's Thane district over the alleged sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls, internet services in the town were suspended while most schools remained shut on Wednesday, officials said. At least 17 city police personnel and around eight railway cops were injured in the incidents of stone-pelting at the railway station and other parts of Badlapur during the protest on Tuesday and the investigators have arrested 72 persons in connection with the violence, they said.

12:30 PM

NCP (SP) workers led by party leader Supriya Sule hold protest in Pune against Badlapur sexual assault case

12:09 PM

RG Kar hospital murder case: Doctors, students hold protest demanding justice in Kolkata

12:06 PM

Kolkata rape-murder: CISF recce at RG Kar Hospital

Senior officers from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) arrived at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata early today to conduct a recce. The paramilitary organization has been assigned to assume control of security measures at the government-operated hospital. This follows a disturbing incident of vandalism that occurred in the wake of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor.

11:58 AM

Doctors continue protests; Healthcare services crippled across Bengal

Healthcare services at government hospitals in West Bengal continued to be disrupted, as junior doctors extended their work stoppage into its 13th consecutive day. The protest is in response to the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee at RG Kar hospital in the area.Hospital administrators have requested senior doctors to cover the shifts of junior medical staff at various facilities. Meanwhile, the state government has once again appealed to the protestors to return to work, according to officials.

11:43 AM

Kolkata Police suspends three officers over vandalism at RG Kar hospital

The Kolkata Police has suspended three of its officers in connection with the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital here last week, officials said.

The suspended policemen include two assistant police commissioners, they said. A group of people had entered the medical facility and vandalised its emergency department, nursing station, and medicine store in the early hours of August 15.