Kolkata rape-murder case: Police question BJP leader, Doctors for spreading rumors
In the most recent development regarding the Kolkata rape-murder case, the Kolkata Police have pressed charges against many who have indulged in spreading misinformation about the incident. The ones who have been summoned include BJP leader Locket Chatterjee and two noted doctors, Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subarna Goswami. Notices served to 57 others for their involvement in circulating incorrect information about the case.
Summons Served on BJP Leader and Doctors
The Kolkata Police have also summoned BJP leader Locket Chatterjee, and renowned doctors like Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subarna Goswami, to appear before the Kolkata Police Headquarters in Lalbazar over the charges of causing mischief by spreading false rumors and revealing the identity of the lady doctor, who was a victim and has been raped and later killed by one of her patients at RG Kar Medical College and hospital.
Dr Kunal Sarkar: The noted cardiologist confirmed that he has received the summons. He said, “Yes, I have received the summons. But at the moment, I am out of town and have informed the Kolkata Police about that. I do not know why they have called me, but it seems that some of my comments on social media have elicited certain reactions nationally and internationally. maybe because of that.
Dr. Subarna Goswami: The deputy chief medical officer of Purba Bardhaman district, Dr. Goswami has not received the summons yet and said that he is all set to cooperate fully with the probe into the death of the Dengue patient. He said, “I am yet to receive anything. I do not know why Kolkata Police will issue summons to me when they are not investigating the case. I have been saying that I will cooperate with the probe in every possible manner.”. I neither disclosed the name of the victim nor did I malign anyone’s image.”
Locket Chatterjee: Like the above leader, Chatterjee also said she has not been summoned yet. Lashing at the police for the overall mismanagement of the case, she stated, “It would have been better if they had worked with the same promptness while investigating the matter. Everybody wants justice for the girl.”
Widespread Rumors
The Kolkata Police, headed by Commissioner Vineet Goyal, voiced their concern for the rate at which this misinformation was affecting their investigation. Commissioner Goyal, addressing a press conference, cited that the runaway false information into the incident not only complicated the probe but also posed a threat to public order.
The disclosure of the victim’s identity and the circulation of unverified and inflammatory material on social media are issues of paramount concern for the police. So far, such misinformation is being widely spread, which is one of the key challenges for the active investigation and may likely act as a hindrance to reaching justice.
The Legal and Social Implications
The summons to individuals as high profile as Chatterjee and the doctors underline how seriously the Kolkata Police have taken the issue of misinformation. By targeting people who are of high prominence, the authorities hope that the spread of false information may be arrested and responsible communication further be enforced, especially in sensitive cases.
Legal experts opine that such a police move is a larger game plan by the establishment to control the narrative, making sure that the sanctity of the investigation is not eaten away by public deliberation. Similarly, such focus on high-profile individuals potentially acts as a deterrent for similar others.
Public and Media Reactions
Already, there is a mixed reaction from the public and media regarding the legal action against Chatterjee and the doctors; some consider it necessary for the sake of investigation, others a diversion to the cause of justice for the victim.
There have been critics who have been quick to say that while addressing misinformation is necessary, that should not take away the fact that an in-depth and transparent investigation on the crime scene should take place. This will prove beneficial in the search for the perpetrators and justice to the family.
Conclusion
The Kolkata Police have decided to summon BJP leader Locket Chatterjee, among some other prominent doctors, for allegedly circulating misinformation over the rape-murder case that has been ongoing. This seems quite a signal of how the police are planning to deal with the tension created by misinformation relative to the case. In the days ahead, the focus will have to be on trying to ensure that justice is not just done but also seen to be done amidst public and media scrutiny.
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