Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha member Sukhendu Sekhar Ray has approached the Calcutta High Court challenging a summons issued by the Kolkata Police. The summons relates to a social media post Ray made about the August 9 rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Ray’s legal move comes after the police called him in for questioning regarding a post he shared on X (formerly Twitter), where he suggested that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should interrogate Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal in connection with the case. The post also questioned various aspects of the investigation, including the handling of the crime scene and the use of sniffer dogs.
Ray, a veteran politician and three-time Rajya Sabha member, criticized the police’s actions as intimidation and high-handedness. In his statement, Ray expressed concerns about the legality of the police notice and sought judicial intervention. He stated, “I have moved the Calcutta High Court against the illegal notice of the police. The matter is likely to be heard on Tuesday.”
The controversy arose after Ray’s post criticized the investigation and called for accountability from senior officials. The police responded by summoning Ray and issuing a public notice warning against the spread of misinformation. A senior police official clarified that Ray was summoned for allegedly spreading false information about the investigation process.
On the same day, Ray shared a Rabindranath Tagore song on X, reflecting his resolve amid the legal and political turmoil. The Kolkata Police also issued summons to other individuals, including prominent doctors who have supported the protests and demanded accountability from hospital officials.
In support of free speech, Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition in the state legislative assembly, offered to provide free legal assistance to those facing harassment for expressing their opinions. He emphasized the importance of free speech in a healthy democracy and criticized the police’s actions as an attempt to stifle dissent.
The case has highlighted ongoing tensions between political figures, the police, and the medical community in the wake of a highly sensitive and tragic event. The Calcutta High Court’s upcoming hearing will be closely watched as it addresses the legal and political implications of the police’s actions against Ray.
Sources By Agencies