Pressure from State Govt? RG Kar Victim’s Father Speaks Out

A Heartbreaking Allegation

A fresh wave of controversy has erupted in West Bengal after the father of the RG Kar victim claimed that a private hospital denied admission to his injured wife under pressure from the state government.

The allegation comes just a day after violent clashes broke out between police and protesters during the BJP’s Nabanna Rally, which marked one year since the rape and murder of a PGT doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

What Happened at the Protest

On Saturday, the victim’s parents joined a protest march towards Nabanna, the West Bengal state secretariat. The rally was held to demand justice for their daughter, whose murder case had sparked statewide outrage in 2024.

However, tensions escalated when police tried to stop protesters near Park Street crossing. Witnesses claim that police baton-charged the crowd after a group attempted to breach barricades and move toward Vidyasagar Setu.

The victim’s mother alleges she was pinned to the ground by women police personnel, her traditional shankha (conch shell bangle) broken, and sustained injuries to her forehead, hands, and back.

Injuries and Medical Examination

According to PTI, she underwent a CT scan and other diagnostic tests on Saturday to check for internal injuries. The initial medical advice recommended at least two days of hospital observation.

Her husband recounted,

“The doctor who saw my wife said she would be admitted. But soon after, the hospital staff’s behaviour changed. They told me they could not admit her because of pressure from the state government.”

When the father reached out to the doctor later, he claims the doctor avoided discussing the matter in detail. However, he was told the prescribed medicine would suffice.

By Sunday afternoon, despite her injuries, the hospital discharged her.

Political Backdrop of the Allegation

The incident occurred amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal. The Nabanna Rally was not just a protest—it was a symbolic act of resistance against what the BJP calls “state-sponsored suppression” of justice in the RG Kar case.

The rally came exactly one year after the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor inside the hospital premises. The case remains a flashpoint in Bengal’s political battle, with opposition parties accusing the ruling government of shielding the guilty and suppressing dissent.

Police Version of Events

The Kolkata Police have denied using force on the victim’s parents. Officials maintain that the law enforcement response was aimed only at controlling unruly crowds that attempted to breach security cordons.

However, eyewitness accounts from protesters and multiple videos circulating online paint a conflicting picture, showing officers forcefully detaining and pushing women protesters, including elderly participants.

Legal Rights vs. Street Reality

Court orders had reportedly permitted the victim’s family to participate in the rally as long as it remained peaceful. The father alleges that police tried to prevent them from joining, questioning why law enforcement would obstruct a court-sanctioned march.

This raises broader questions about citizens’ rights to protest and the role of state authorities in handling dissent, especially when victims’ families are involved.

Hospital Silence Raises More Questions

The hospital where the victim’s mother sought treatment has declined to comment. This silence, coupled with the father’s allegations, has fueled speculation about political interference in medical decisions—a matter that could have serious ethical and legal implications.

According to the Indian Medical Council regulations, doctors are bound by the duty of care to treat patients without discrimination. If proven true, the allegation that political pressure influenced treatment would be a serious breach of medical ethics.

Why This Matters for West Bengal

The RG Kar case is not just about one incident. It has become a symbol of women’s safety, medical workplace security, and political accountability in West Bengal.

In a state where public protests have historically been a part of democratic expression, the allegations of police violence against victims’ families and hospital admission denial highlight a disturbing trend.

Calls for Independent Inquiry

Civil rights groups, women’s organizations, and medical associations are already calling for an independent inquiry into both the protest crackdown and the hospital incident.

An inquiry could help determine:

• Whether police used excessive force.

• If the hospital acted under political pressure.

• Whether medical ethics were compromised.

Past Incidents of Political Interference in Hospitals

Sadly, this is not the first time allegations of political pressure have emerged in healthcare cases.
In 2023, doctors in another Kolkata hospital claimed they faced intimidation to discharge a politically sensitive patient. Similar stories have surfaced across states, pointing to a systemic problem that blurs the line between public health services and political control.

What Happens Next

The father has indicated he will pursue legal action if necessary. BJP leaders have vowed to raise the matter in the state assembly, demanding accountability from both the state health department and Kolkata Police.

Whether these allegations lead to actual reform—or become another chapter in Bengal’s polarised politics—remains to be seen.