Kolkata

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Friday replied to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterating her earlier demand for strict punishment for heinous crimes such as rape and rape-murder. Read full letter here.

The controversy arose after audio clips purportedly featuring phone conversations between the victim's parents and a hospital staff member surfaced online. In these recordings, the caller, identifying herself as the assistant superintendent of the hospital, informed the parents about their daughter's deteriorating condition and eventual death.

The West Bengal government has scheduled a two-day special session of the state assembly, starting September 2, to introduce and pass a Bill proposing capital punishment for convicted rapists.

The Indian Medical Association said that its Bengal branch, as well as certain associations of doctors, have sought action against Sandip Ghosh.

President Murmu also stressed that no civilized society can allow such atrocities to be committed against women, urging for "honest, unbiased self-introspection" to tackle the root causes of these crimes.

This directive comes in the wake of nationwide protests triggered by the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident has sparked massive outrage in the country.

The rally, held to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over alleged mishandling of a rape and murder case involving a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, saw demonstrators marching towards the state secretariat.

The BJP on Tuesday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of protecting those responsible for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

Kolkata witnessed a dramatic scene on Tuesday as part of the ongoing 'Nabanna Abhijan' rally, with a video of a Sadhu in orange attire braving water cannons and waving the Indian flag capturing widespread attention online.

Ahead of the protest, the police have deployed an array of security apparatus, including Vajra vehicles, water cannons, and the Riot Control Force. Containers have been strategically placed to block roads leading to the state secretariat, a move intended to prevent the rally from reaching its destination.