Kolkata:
An “absolute failure of state machinery” led to the vandalism at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital late Wednesday and early Thursday, the Calcutta High Court declared this morning. “We listed this because of emails received due to vandalism in the hospital,” the court began.
The medical college was the scene of a grisly murder, and potential rape, on August 9, which has triggered protests and political squabbles nationwide, including Thursday’s ‘Reclaim The Night’ movement during which a mob clashed with police and vandalised parts of the hospital.
In response to the court’s question, the state said, “… there was a mob of around 7,000. The number suddenly swelled… I have videos. They broke barricades… tear gas was fired and 15 police personnel were injured. Deputy Commissioner was injured. Police vehicles damaged. Emergency room ransacked (but) place of occurrence (the crime scene) was protected.”
But the court, which came down strongly on the hospital administration and the cops in earlier hearings – after the doctors’ parents alleged negligence – seemed to dismiss the argument.
A bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam asked, “So they (the police) couldn’t protect their own men? A sorry state of affairs. How will doctors there work fearlessly?”
The Chief Justice also demanded to know how and why permission had been granted for public protests on so volatile an issue. “Normally police has an intelligence wing… similar things happened on Hanuman Jayanti. If 7,000 are to gather, it hard to believe police did not know.”
The state responded that no permission had been granted.
“You are taking measures? What are the preventive measures?” the court also asked.
Kolkata Police, under fire after multiple allegations by the doctors’ parents, have arrested nine people in connection with the vandalism. The police have also trashed reports the vandals targeted and destroyed the crime scene, saying the latter remains in a secured condition.
“Crime scene is Seminar Room… it has not been touched. Don’t spread unverified news. We will initiate legal action…” the cops said on X.
