Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Mamata Denies 'Bribing' Victim's Family, Says Kolkata CP Offered To Resign

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee revealed on Monday that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal had offered to resign amid the protests against the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Banerjee, however, chose not to accept his resignation, citing the upcoming Durga Puja as a time when someone familiar with law and order was essential.

"Kolkata CP Vineet Goyal offered to resign after RG Kar protests but we need someone who knows law and order ahead of Durga Puja," Banerjee said, as quoted by PTI.

Banerjee also addressed accusations of offering financial compensation to the victim's family, which she denied, calling the claims false and defamatory.

"This is nothing but slander," she stated.

She further added that she had offered the family support, not money: "I told the deceased doctor's parents that if they wanted to do something in their daughter's memory, our government is with them."

Blaming the BJP-led central government and Left parties for the ongoing unrest, Banerjee said, "We are fulfilling all the requirements of CISF... This is all a conspiracy hatched by the central government and some leftist parties. They are involved in this conspiracy... We are not stopping you for anything."

She also highlighted the disturbance caused by the ongoing protests, especially the use of loudspeakers at night.

"There are many rules like if you gather on the streets every day, people face problems, there are elderly people in many houses, they will have trouble sleeping because of the mic. That is why there are rules of the Pollution Control Board that mics should not be played after 10 p.m. or there should not be noise beyond a certain limit," Banerjee explained.

She urged protesters to end the demonstrations and focus on Durga Puja celebrations, stating, "But for the last 1 month, we have stopped all this. We will request that now all the protesters should return to their work, now come for Durga Puja. The matter is not in our hands but in the hands of CBI."

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court reminded the West Bengal government that no action should be taken against doctors once they return to work by 5 pm the next day.

However, the court warned that if the doctors failed to resume their duties, it would not be able to prevent the state government from taking disciplinary action against them.