Kolkata rape-murder case highlights: Bengal govt rejects doctors preconditions for talks

Kolkata rape-murder case live: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's meeting with principals and directors of all state medical colleges and hospitals, initially set for Thursday, has been postponed to next week due to "impending emergency works" at these institutions, according to an official. The revised date for the meeting will be announced later, news agency ANI reported.

An official state order stated: “Due to ongoing emergency works at various medical colleges and hospitals, the scheduled meeting on Thursday has been postponed to next week. The new date will be communicated in due course.”

Kolkata rape-murder case live: Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya said the government remains open to discussions but suggested that "political forces" might be influencing the protests.

This led to a quick rebuttal from the medics, who dismissed the claims as baseless, and asserted that the protests would continue till their demands were met. (PTI)

Kolkata rape-murder case live: West Bengal government rejected junior doctors' demands for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's presence and a live broadcast as preconditions for talks to resolve the month-long cease work protests.

Authorities of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday deferred the hearing of the 51 doctors who were issued notice for allegedly promoting a culture of intimidation, endangering the democratic atmosphere of the institution, an official said. The next date of the hearing is likely to be Friday, he added. (PTI)

Kolkata rape-murder case live: TMC Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya explained that the second invite was sent around 3:23 am on Wednesday, but the doctors responded late.

“They were informed 2 and half hours in advance. They were asked to bring a delegation of preferably 12 to 15 people. They could have come for the meeting. But they sent a response to that email almost two hours later,” she alleged. Read more

Kolkata rape-murder case live: TMC minister Chandrima Bhattacharya attributed “ulterior political motives” to the stand-off between protesting junior doctors and the state government over terms of engagement.

“We would like to ask the protesting doctors is it acceptable to send an email to the CMO at 3.45 am in the morning?”, she asked in a video posted by the party on X.

Kolkata rape-murder case live: The ruling Trinamool Congress continued to post stories of patients allegedly denied care due to unrelenting protests by the junior doctors.

“38-year-old Safikul Islam from Deganga, North 24 Parganas, tragically lost his life after suffering a head injury. Despite visiting multiple government hospitals, he was refused admittance. Is this the justice we're fighting for? Turning away patients in need is nothing short of criminal. It’s not a protest anymore – it’s a dereliction of duty that's costing lives!”, the party posted on X

Kolkata rape-murder case live: Protesting doctors claimed that the Chief Secretary's invite for talks did not mention about Mamata Banerjee's presence during the proposed meeting. The doctors continue to insist on holding a face-to-face discussion with the chief minister.

“Once again, as another opportunity, we invite your delegation preferably consisting of 12-15 colleagues to join us for a discussion at 6 pm today, ie 11.09.2024, at Nabanna. A list of the members of your delegation may please be intimated by email,” said a communication from the state government.

Kolkata rape-murder case live: Reacting to the stand-off between agitating junior doctors and the state government, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary termed the protest as “historic”.

"We are supporting them and are fighting for them. This is historic, the world will remember it", he said.

Kolkata rape-murder case live: Responding to the chief secretary's invite for a meeting, the protesting junior doctors have demanded at least a 30-member delegation to meet Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Other demands of the doctors include a discussion on their five-point demand in presence of the chief minister and live streaming of their meeting for the sake of "transparency".

Kolkata rape-murder case live: The protesting junior doctors have shared their list of five demands in an email sent to the state government.

“Those creating trouble in justice should be asked to resign. Elections should be conducted, college counsel should be given recognition, and elected representatives should be part of it and not "selected" representatives", Dr. Aqeeb said.

Kolkata rape-murder case live: A protesting junior doctor claimed that the email sent by the principal health secretary on Tuesday did not mention that the chief minister was waiting for the doctors to arrive for talks. He also claimed that the invite mentioned about "a meeting with senior government officials" behind closed doors.

“We refused it because we were against the closed-door meeting. Like Chandrima Bhattacharya said the CM was waiting for us, nothing of this sort was mentioned in the mail”, said Dr. Aqeeb.

Kolkata rape-murder case live: The Bengal government invited 12-15 representatives of junior doctors for talks at secretariat ‘Nabanna’ by 6 pm. However, there is no information regarding other conditions set by the doctors in their email seeking a meeting with the state government.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Protesting junior doctors set their conditions for their proposed meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Their list of demands includes the following-

-Representation from all government run medical colleges and hospitals

-Talks to be held in an open forum instead of a closed-door meeting.

-A media representative to be present, so that the entire talks can be telecast live.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) claimed the ongoing junior doctors protest has affected patients access to critical care across hospitals.

"A month after the R G Kar tragedy, confusion cloud the minds of countless patients. The cease-work by junior doctors has left vulnerable people unsure about access to critical care. Those already battling illness are now being turned away by hospitals meant to be their last hope", the party posted on X.

Kolkata rape-murder case live updates: Agitating junior doctors have sought a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss their demands and resolve the impasse.

The doctors have been staging a sit-in protest of the health ministry building "Swasthya Bhavan". They declined yesterday's invite for a meeting from the health secretary claiming the email invite felt “insulting”.

Kolkata rape-murder case live: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been probing former principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh and his associates over charges of money laundering. The agency shared the details of raids and progress of the case so far.

According to ED, three flats, two houses and a farmhouse in Kolkata and another flat in Murshidabad belonging to Dr Ghosh and his wife Sangeeta are under their scanner.

Kolkata rape-murder case: BJP leader Agnimitra Paul expressed support for the junior doctors' actions, saying that Mamata Banerjee should personally visit them, given the proximity to Nabanna. Paul criticised the chief minister for making time for others but not for the protesting doctors, whom she described as being “like her children,” and accused Banerjee of letting her ego get in the way.

Kolkata rape-murder case: The junior doctors maintained their sit-in outside Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department’s headquarters, for a second day, demanding the removal of the Kolkata Police Commissioner and senior health officials from their positions.

Kolkata rape-murder case: Despite the Supreme Court's directive to resume duties by 5 PM on September 10, protesting junior doctors in West Bengal continued their strike for the 33rd day on Wednesday. They are pressing for justice for a medic who was allegedly raped and murdered at a state-run hospital last month.

Kolkata rape-murder case: Banerjee has called a review meeting on September 12 with principals, directors and medical superintendents from all state medical colleges and hospitals. All police commissioners and district magistrates have also been invited.

Kolkata rape-murder case: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting on Thursday to assess health facilities and discuss improvements in safety, security and patient services across the state.

Kolkata rape-murder case: Junior doctors intensified their protest outside Swasthya Bhawan, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The demonstrators called for swift action against those responsible and reforms to improve safety for medical professionals in the state.

Kolkata rape-murder case: BJP leaders including Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and party workers protested against chief minister Mamata Banerjee, saying she has no moral right to continue in the office.

Kolkata rape-murder case: The victim's father has expressed dissatisfaction with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's handling of the case.