Is the Mishandling of the Durgapur Gang Rape Probe Similar to the RG Kar Rape and Murder?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Proper handling of investigations is essential for justice.
- Allegations of evidence tampering raise concerns about police integrity.
- Political accountability is necessary for improving women's safety.
- Public outcry can influence law enforcement practices.
- The Durgapur case emphasizes the need for systemic reforms in police investigations.
Kolkata, Oct 11 (NationPress) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) asserted on Saturday that the West Bengal Police must avoid any mishandling of the investigation concerning the gang rape of a second-year medical student from Odisha, which occurred outside a private medical college in Durgapur, West Burdwan district. They drew parallels to the alleged mismanagement by the Kolkata Police in the RG Kar rape and murder case last August.
Amit Malviya, the BJP's Information Technology Cell Chief and central observer for West Bengal, criticized the West Bengal government through two posts on social media.
Malviya accused the Kolkata Police of mishandling the RG Kar case under the direction of the state government. He expressed hope that the West Bengal Police would not repeat these mistakes in the Durgapur case and would conduct a transparent and unbiased inquiry.
"This ongoing failure in law and order highlights a concerning trend under Mamata Banerjee's administration. The West Bengal Police must ensure a thorough and impartial investigation, in stark contrast to the RG Kar case, which was mishandled by the Kolkata Police to shield the guilty from facing severe repercussions under the law," Malviya stated in a post on X.
The initial investigation into the RG Kar rape and murder was conducted by the Kolkata Police until the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over after an order from the Calcutta High Court.
Allegations have surfaced regarding tampering with and modification of evidence during the early stages of the investigation by the Kolkata Police.
Regarding the Durgapur gang rape case, a complaint has been lodged against an individual named Wasif Ali and his associates, with Malviya asserting that the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal must be held responsible.
"West Bengal is not a safe place for women. Until the Trinamool Congress government is made accountable, women throughout the state will remain in fear. Mamata Banerjee must step down in 2026," the BJP leader added.
Former State BJP President and Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, claimed that the Durgapur incident demonstrates that women are at risk everywhere in West Bengal.
"Under the failed and lawless governance of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal has become a nightmare regarding women's safety. Women are unsafe across the state, from rural areas to cities, and from hospitals to homes. The administration's intentional policy of appeasement has hampered police investigations, allowing violent criminals to operate freely. Mamata Banerjee has transformed West Bengal into a sanctuary for rapists and criminals," Majumdar expressed.