Police, 'TMC goons' involved in conspiracy to destroy evidence in doctor's rape and murder case: WCD minister

New Delhi: Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Saturday attacked West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged rape and murder of a paramedic in Kolkata, alleging that the police, in collusion with “TMC goons”, had planned to destroy evidence related to the case.

The minister also accused the West Bengal government of mishandling the case.

She condemned the state government for organizing a protest march against its own failure, calling it a farce and stressing the lack of action against criminals and rapists.

Her comments came against the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.

The case sparked widespread outrage and led to protests across the state and country.

In this connection, a volunteer of the Calcutta police was arrested.

Devi also alleged that the state police, in collusion with “TMC goons”, were involved in a conspiracy to destroy evidence related to the case, referring to unidentified goons who vandalised parts of the facility during a protest against the incident.

“The atrocities against women under the leadership of a woman chief minister are a testament to the incompetence and callousness of the government,” Devi said, questioning how far the Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s governance would go.

Her comments came a day after the National Commission for Women highlighted deficiencies in security, infrastructure and investigations into the case.

The women's rights organization's investigation found that there were no security personnel on site at the time of the incident, meaning interns, doctors and nurses on call were not adequately protected during their night shifts.