West Bengal Chief Minister Accused of Lying Over Compensation Offer in Trainee Doctor Case

West Bengal:In a heated controversy surrounding the tragic death of a trainee doctor from Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is facing accusations of dishonesty from the victim's family. The mother of the deceased, who was raped and murdered on August 9, has publicly challenged Banerjee's denial of offering financial compensation, asserting that the Chief Minister did indeed promise monetary aid.

Speaking to ANI, the victim's mother refuted Banerjee’s statement that no compensation was offered. She claimed that Banerjee had suggested creating a memorial for her daughter and promised financial support. "The Chief Minister is lying. My daughter will not return. Would I lie in her name? The Chief Minister told us that we would receive money and suggested that we create something in our daughter's memory. I responded that I would come to her office to collect the money once my daughter gets justice," she stated.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Minister Banerjee had denied offering any financial compensation. "I have never offered money to the doctor's family. This is nothing but slander. I only told the doctor's parents that if they wished to do something in their daughter's memory, our government would support them," Banerjee said. She also highlighted the resignation offer by Kolkata Commissioner of Police, Vineet Goyal, following the RG Kar protests but emphasized the need for experienced law enforcement as Durga Puja approaches.

The victim’s cousin supported the mother’s claims, asserting that Banerjee personally offered financial compensation. "The Chief Minister herself offered financial compensation. She denied that money was offered by the police. I'm still saying with responsibility that the Chief Minister offered money," the cousin declared.

In response to the ongoing protests and calls for justice, Banerjee urged citizens to "return to festivities" as Durga Puja nears and called on junior doctors to resume their duties. However, the victim's mother found this request insensitive, stating, "Durga Puja is celebrated in my house too; my daughter used to handle it herself. But Durga Puja will never be celebrated in my house again. The light in my home is out. How can I ask people to return to the festival?" She questioned whether Banerjee would have made the same request if the incident had occurred within her own family and vowed to continue the fight for justice.

In related developments, the Supreme Court of India has instructed that no action be taken against doctors who return to work by 5 pm tomorrow while hearing the case. The court warned that failure to comply could result in disciplinary action, though it noted that it could not restrain the state government from taking further actions if doctors continued their absence.