Mamata Banerjee seeks ‘capital punishment’ as Bengal reels from rape-murder of 9-year-old days after RG Kar case

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for ‘capital punishment within three months’ amid furore over the rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl. The Calcutta High Court on Sunday ordered that a second post-mortem be conducted on the schoolgirl. The developments came mere days after the rape and murder of a Kolkata doctor as the eastern state undertakes last minute preparations for the Durga Puja festival.

"In West Bengal, we have three cases where capital punishment has been given. I want the police to register the Kultuli case under the POCSO Act and ensure that the culprits get capital punishment within three months... Crime is crime; there is no religion or caste. Strong action should be taken against the criminals," the chief minister said.

Banerjee also took exception to “media trials” in rape cases and stressed the need to stop these as it could hamper investigations. The CM said that agitators (following the Kultuli incident) should also respond against "bad videos" shown on social media which were spoiling the children and fuelling their inclination towards crime.

Meanwhile West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose lashed out at the state government, alleging that absence of timely action has led to rise in cases of rape.

The 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped and murdered while returning to her Joynagar home after attending her tuition classes on Saturday. Furious locals had subsequently torched a police outpost and vadalised vehicles parked in the area after the incident came to light.

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court, hearing a petition filed by the girl's parents, directed that the second post-mortem be conducted at AIIMS Hospital in Kalyani on Monday in the presence of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) of Baruipur court. The court also ordered the police to register a case POCSO Act.

One person has been arrested in connection with the murder.

(With inputs from agencies)