Kolkata medic's rape-murder: Harbhajan writes to WB Guv, CM over 'delay' in justice
New Delhi/Chandigarh, Aug 18: Former cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh has written to West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging them to "act swiftly and decisively" in the rape-murder case of a Kolkata doctor.
"With deep anguish over the delay in justice to the Kolkata rape and murder victim, the incident which had shaken the conscience of all of us, I have penned a heartfelt plea to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. @MamataOfficial Ji and Hon'ble @BengalGovernor urging them to act swiftly and decisively," Singh said in a post on X.
The safety and dignity of women are non-negotiable, he said, adding the perpetrators of this heinous crime must face the full might of the law, and the punishment must be exemplary.
"Only then can we begin to restore faith in our system and ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again and we create a society where every woman feels safe and protected. We must ask ourselves 'if not now, when? I feel the time for action is now," he said in the letter.
The former India cricketer also shared a copy of the letter, which he addressed "to the Government of West Bengal, CBI and Citizens of India" on X.
"I demand justice for the victim. I demand a safer society. I demand positive change. And I stand with the doctors in their fight for justice," he said.
"I urge the government of West Bengal and the investigating agency, CBI, to take immediate and decisive action to ensure that the perpetrators of this vile act are brought to justice swiftly," Singh wrote in the letter.
"Why the government of West Bengal only? Such incidents are reported from different parts of the country and have become regular columns on newspapers and TV programmes," Singh wrote.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation into the alleged rape and murder of the woman doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in the West Bengal capital.
Singh said the governments must implement comprehensive measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
"This includes strengthening security protocols within hospitals, providing adequate support to victims of violence, and creating a safer working environment for all healthcare professionals," he said.
Singh also supported the protesting doctors who have been on strike demanding a safe working environment.
"The medical community is already working in challenging conditions. With such incidents, how can we expect them to perform their duties with dedication when their own safety is so gravely compromised?" he said.
Singh pointed out that after more than a week of the incident, "We are yet to see any concrete action which has led the doctors and the medical community to protest on roads."
"Their protests are understood and I wholeheartedly support the medical community in their fight for their cause of justice," he said.
The body of the post-graduate trainee doctor was found in a seminar room at the medical college on August 9. Police arrested a civic volunteer the next day in this connection.
With deep anguish over delay in justice to the Kolkata rape and murder victim, the incident which had shaken the conscience of all of us, I have penned a heartfelt plea to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of West Bengal , Ms. @MamataOfficial Ji and Hon'ble @BengalGovernor urging them… pic.twitter.com/XU9SuYFhbY
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 18, 2024
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Heavy rain, hailstorms likely to lash Uttarakhand on Tuesday; IMD issues warning
Dehradun/Pithoragarh (PTI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy rain and hailstorms across several districts of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, as temperatures remained markedly below normal in the region.
Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts. Most places across all districts are expected to receive light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, while higher reaches are likely to witness snowfall, officials said on Monday.
The weather department warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and intense spells of rain in six districts, including Dehradun and Nainital. Gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph are also expected at isolated locations in these areas and other hilly districts.
In the state capital, Dehradun, the sky is forecast to remain partly cloudy with light rain and thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph.
The maximum and minimum temperatures in the city are expected to hover around 31 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Maximum temperatures during the past 24 hours remained markedly below normal in the hills and appreciably below normal in the plains. While no significant change in temperature is expected over the next 2-3 days, the IMD predicts a rise of 3-5 degrees Celsius during the subsequent 3-4 days.
Rainfall was recorded in several areas after 8.30 am today, with Ramnagar receiving 31.5 mm and Nainital recording 26.5 mm. Other areas, including Pithoragarh, Khatima and Champawat, also reported moderate precipitation.
Authorities have stopped a batch of 36 Adi Kailash pilgrims at the Dharchula base camp and placed the high-altitude yatra route on high alert following heavy rains and hailstorms in the district on Monday.
Dharchula SDM Ashish Joshi said the pilgrimage was halted due to adverse weather conditions. The issuance of new inner-line passes has been suspended until the weather normalises.
With 1,700 passes issued so far, pilgrims already at higher camps are being monitored for safety, the official added.
