The parents of the slain doctor, Tilottama, have returned from Delhi, expressing profound dissatisfaction with the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) handling of their daughter’s murder and rape case. A year after the tragic rape and murder of their doctor at her workplace RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, their frustration intensified following a meeting with CBI Director Praveen Sood.
Upon their arrival at Kolkata airport on Thursday night, the slain junior doctor’s father stated that their expectations were shattered. “We had an experience today that showed us how bogus an organization can be, an organization that 140 crore people in this country rely on,” he said.
He claimed that the CBI Director himself suggested the agency might drop the case, a proposition the family vehemently opposes. “We didn’t give them this case by choice; we wanted an independent investigative body under court supervision. The court gave us the CBI. Let’s see if the court releases them or if they abandon the case themselves.”
CBI has no answers to any of our questions: Junior Doctor’s father
The family had sought answers to several critical questions from the CBI, including the identity of the perpetrators, the location of the crime, and the motive behind the rape and murder. According to Tilottama’s father, “The CBI has no answers to any of our questions.” During their meeting with the CBI Director, they presented a placard with these questions on one side and a message on the other: “Grow a spine or resign.” Tilottama’s mother recounted that the Director took the placard, then returned it, claiming the agency had a spine. “We told him he doesn’t,” she said.
The family had also planned to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah but were unable to secure an appointment. They have expressed their desire to return to Delhi if Shah grants them a meeting in the future.
Award Returned in Protest
In a powerful gesture of protest, Tilottama’s mother returned the “Nari Shakti Award” she had received from Delhi’s Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta. She stated, “I have returned it and said that I will accept it only after my daughter gets justice.” The parents also met with their Supreme Court lawyer, Karuna Nandy, during their visit to the capital.
Protests and Rallies Planned Ahead of Anniversary
In remembrance of the tragic event on August 9, a series of protests and rallies have been organized by various groups. The *West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF)* has called for a torch rally on Friday at 9 PM, from College Square to Shyambazar. This will be followed by a sit-in demonstration at the Shyambazar five-point crossing from midnight until 4 AM.
On Saturday, which is also Rakhi Purnima, members of the Junior Doctors’ Forum and the Abhaya Mancha will tie rakhis to citizens, symbolizing a pledge to provide security and protection. In the afternoon, protesting doctors will gather at the Hazra Crossing for a procession towards the Chief Minister’s residence in Kalighat. Additionally, the *WBHDF* has called for a gathering at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital at 6 PM on Saturday, with another protest meeting scheduled for the evening of August 14. A “Reclaim the Night” program is also being planned across Kolkata for midnight.
Parents Seek Support for “Apolitical Nabanna March”
Tilottama’s parents are organizing a “Nabanna March” (a march to the state secretariat) on August 9 to demand justice for their daughter. They have reached out to various political parties for support. On Saturday, they visited the BJP’s Salt Lake office to invite the party’s state president, Samik Bhattacharya, to the march. Tilottama’s father said they had invited all political parties except the ruling Trinamool Congress, whom he stated they “just hate.” When asked what assurance the BJP gave, he said, “Everyone is giving us assurances. We will continue our fight.”
TMC’s state general secretary, Kunal Ghosh, criticized the parents’ political engagement, saying, “Don’t politicize all this. We respect you, but don’t go around to party offices like this.” The parents also visited the SUCI office to invite them. The SUCI state secretary, Chandidas Bhattacharya, expressed his party’s support for the WBJDF’s movement. In response to the presence of BJP’s leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, at the march, Tilottama’s father stated, “We want to say, come where the leader of the opposition is not present.” The parents have also extended an invitation to the “Sangrami Joutha Mancha” (Struggling Joint Platform) to join the march.