Kolkata, August 30: It was an ordinary morning at the middle-class home in North Kolkata. The daughter who had made her parents proud by becoming a doctor had a long shift at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. She’d contacted her mother at about 11.30 p.m. the night before and spoken to her, as usual. Her mom ended the call immediately little knowing it’s going to be her last.
Their small world collapsed on the morning of August 9 after receiving three calls in less than thirty minutes. The audio of the calls made to the parents the morning following the rape and murder of the 31-year-old doctor at the Kolkata hospital has been obtained by NDTV.
The rape-murder victim’s parents stated in court that the first call was received at 10.53 in the morning. The woman who made the call has subsequently been identified as the hospital’s assistant superintendent. The timeline provided by the Kolkata Police to the Supreme Court states that the official “informed them” over the phone at this time, but it doesn’t go into further detail. The police timeline only records one call. However, the three audio files show that three calls were made, and the victim’s parents were only informed of her death on the final call.
THE FIRST PHONE CALL
Victim’s Father: What has happened, please tell me
Caller: Her condition is very bad, please come as soon as possible
Victim’s Father: Please tell us what has happened
Caller: The doctor will say that you come fast.
Victim’s Father: Who are you?
Caller: I am the assistant super, not doctor
Victim’s Father: There are no doctors there?
Caller: I am the assistant super. We have brought your daughter to the Emergency. You come and contact us.
Victim’s Mother: What happened to her, she was on duty
Caller: You come fast, as soon as possible.
SECOND PHONE CALL
In the second call, a male voice is heard. By then, the parents have already left for the hospital.
Caller: I am speaking from RG Kar (hospital)
Victim’s Mother: Yes, please say
Caller: You are coming, right?
Victim’s Mother: Yes, we are coming. How is she now?
Caller: You come, we will talk, come to RG Kar Hospital’s chest department HOD
Victim’s mother: Okay
THIRD PHONE CALL
Victim’s Father: Hello
Caller: This is the Assistant Super.
Victim’s Father: Yes
Caller: The matter is that your daughter has probably died by suicide. She is dead, police are here, we are all here, please come as soon as possible.
Victim’s Father: We are coming, right away
Victim’s Mother (screams in the background): My daughter is no more.
One aspect of this heartbreaking tragedy that has been scrutinized repeatedly by the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court is the contact between the hospital management and the victim’s parents. The parents claimed in the high court appeal that they were forced to wait for three hours. They believe there was intentional delay in this.
READ: Mamata Banerjee created nationwide controversy with her remarks