Kolkata victim doctor’s family raises 5 key questions: 'My daughter’s soul must have suffered a lot'

KOLKATA: In the latest development in the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, the family of the victim accused the Kolkata Police of trying to offering them money when they were crying and sitting with the mortal remains of their daughter inside the house.
The RG Kar victim’s father also accused Kolkata Police of deliberately delaying in registering their complaint as an FIR.
Here is a list of five key questions raised by doctor’s parents:
Point 1- Cop intimidation
Father - When my daughter’s body was lying at our home, I was approached by DC North, who led me to a secluded corner of a room. It was there that an attempt was made to provide us with financial compensation. Recently, an old video has surfaced where I can be heard denying that any monetary offers were made.
I want to clarify that the video in question was recorded shortly after the incident, at a time when the Kolkata Police was still conducting their investigation. They pressured me to say no money was offered, while stating it could hamper the investigation.
Counterpoint - The protocols were adhered to by us. If they feel we made any mistake, they are free to communicate the same to the present investigating agency.
Point 2 - Hospital pressure
Father - We were told police came to know about the death at 10.10 am when my daughter had passed away much earlier. Why didn’t they do any physical examination? We were told at 11 am that my daughter had died by suicide. When we reached the hospital, we faced a prolonged wait of three and a half hours before they were permitted to see their daughter's body.
During this time, we experienced constant pressure to visit the principal's office, which we refused to do. We were even asked to sign on a blank paper.
Counterpoint - The current administration of the medical college was not involved with the institution during the time in question. Therefore, we are unable to provide any insight or remarks regarding the situation.
Point 3 - Rape-murder FIR and postmortem delay
Father - Why was there a delay in the post-mortem? It should have been completed by 5 pm. But it only started at 6 pm. I had submitted the complaint between 6.30 pm and 7 pm, but also encountered a delay in FIR registration, which occurred at 11.45 pm. Why was there a delay? Despite the presence of numerous doctors, the case was classified as an unnatural death. Why didn’t the hospital lodge an FIR?
Counterpoint - The emergency medical officer officially declared the doctor dead at 12.44 pm and the death certificate was issued shortly after, at 1.47 pm. To commence the process of inquest, we had started a suo motu ‘unnatural death’ (UD) case by 12.45 pm in the absence of an official complaint from either the hospital or the family. Although the family submitted a complaint later that evening, there was a delay in formally registering the FIR due to the officers' involvement in law-and-order duties and the presence of senior police officials from the police station accompanying the FSL team until 10.45 pm. Upon the officer in charge's return to the station, the FIR was officially filed in compliance with "Section 111 of the Police Regulations, Calcutta, 1968."
Point 4 - Cremation hurry
Father - We wanted to keep the body for an extended period, but cops put too much pressure on us. While we were at Talla PS, approximately 300 officers surrounded us and when we reached our home, there were 300 to 400 cops exerting further pressure on us. Ultimately, We had no choice but to proceed with the cremation of the body
Counterpoint - We are not challenging their allegation and we understand the mental state they are in. We are united in our quest for justice. We want to reiterate, we only followed protocols throughout the process. If requested, we will submit our petition in court Bengal bill proposes death or life in jail till death for all rape cases.
Point 5 - Councillor Somnath Dey's role
Aunt - There were 15 of us from the family at the hospital waiting to retrieve the body of their daughter and bring her home. We saw the parents leaving in a car and we thought we would leave behind them with the ambulance carrying our daughter. But cops didn’t allow us to go with them and left with the ambulance in a hurry. We were told the local councillor had taken it upon himself to present himself as the local guardian to the police, emphasising that the family was not in a suitable state to take responsibility for the body. Why did he do that?
Father - The cremation was performed without any cost. My daughter’s soul must have suffered a lot thinking my father could not even bear the expenses. Who will give an answer to that?
Counterpoint -I reside in the vicinity of the girl's home. Following the occurrence, her father reached out to me, and as a result, I joined them on their way to the medical facility. My sole intention was to offer assistance to the family during their time of distress. Regarding the accusations made against me by the family, I have no further comments to provide.