'Not the work of one person ...': Former NCW chief Rekha Sharma on Kolkata woman doctor rape-murder

NEW DELHI: Former National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma commented on the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, suggesting it was not the act of a single person and accusing West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee of shielding those involved. The case has since been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a full investigation.

Rekha Sharma voiced her concerns about the involvement of multiple individuals in the crime. She stated, "It does not seem that this is the work of one person; there are others involved whom Mamata Banerjee wants to protect. Now that the case is with the CBI, a full investigation will reveal what she was trying to conceal."

Earlier, on August 12, Sharma spoke out against the incident, expressing her dismay over the safety of women in their workplaces. She emphasized her concerns for women's safety in West Bengal and criticized the state government and its police force. "It is a very unfortunate and tragic incident... If a woman is not safe at her workplace, where will she be safe? I have a question for West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee: Where are women safe in West Bengal? There is a significant concern regarding the functioning of the police."

Sharma called for central government intervention, claiming the West Bengal government is failing to protect women in the state. "The CM is now saying that she will hand over the case to the CBI; this should have been done on the very first day. Women are not safe in West Bengal, and the president's rule should be imposed. The West Bengal government is failing to protect the women of the state. The central government should intervene."

The postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered on August 9 while on duty at RG Kar Medical College, leading to nationwide strikes and protests among the medical community. The situation escalated when the protest ground and hospital campus were vandalized by a mob on Wednesday, prompting security personnel to intervene and disperse the crowd.

In response to the ongoing protests, the Kolkata Police imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC), around the Medical College and Hospital. This imposition took effect on Sunday, August 18, and will remain in place for seven days.
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