Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given an ultimatum to the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the Kolkata hospital rape-murder case, NDTV reported.
Mamata Banerjee asked the agency to ensure capital punishment for the culprits within Sunday. Meanwhile, the TMC chief announced a rally this evening to demand death penalty for the guilty.
"Within Sunday (August 18), CBI has to facilitate the hanging of the guilty and complete the entire probe. Our Kolkata Police has completed 90 per cent of the probe," she was quoted as saying.
Her assertion comes as the protesters accuse the police of mishandling the case and her party of trying to destroy evidence.
The Chief Minister who holds the home portfolio in the state administration has surprised many with her declaration of the rally.
Meanwhile Trinamool MP and spokesperson Derek O'Brien said: "It is hard to conceive of a more bestial, heinous crime than the murder and rape of a young woman that took place in Kolkata. The public outrage is entirely understandable. Thoughts and prayers with her family."
Clarifying the reason behind Mamata Banerjee’s rally, he said: "Why is Mamata Banerjee leading a rally on the RG Kar Hospital incident?" "Fair question" .
"Because: CBI, which is now handling the case, must give daily updates on the investigation. The deadline given by the CM to Kolkata Police to complete the investigation was August 17. The same must apply to CBI," the senior Trinamool leader added.
Saying that Kolkata police arrested the accused, he added that justice could happen only when CBI arrests others in the case, sending them to fast-track court.
He made it clear that "CBI taking over the case shouldn't lead to it being quietly buried. The urgent need of the hour is swift justice and the harshest punishment for the culprits. No one who committed this barbaric act must be spared"
Derek O'Brien demanded action against those vandalised the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where the doctor was raped and murdered.