Union minister criticises Mamata Banerjee in uproar over tragic death of trainee doctor

Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at a Kolkata hospital. Pradhan claimed that attempts to intimidate the public would only intensify the demand for justice.

On Sunday, students from several medical colleges in Kolkata took to the streets to demand justice for the doctor-student who was allegedly raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

In a social media post, Pradhan strongly criticised the Mamata Banerjee government and accused the police of destroying evidence and preventing people from showing solidarity with the victim's family. Pradhan termed these measures as dictatorial and stressed that the protests would not be silenced.

A volunteer of the Kolkata Police has been taken into custody in connection with the case and the case has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following a direction of the Kolkata High Court.

Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, vandalism occurred on the hospital premises, coinciding with women-led protests against the tragic incident, deepening unrest in the state.

(With contributions from agencies.)