Rattled by severe public and media criticism over her hasty comments on Park Street rape case while the investigation was still on, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday embarked on a damage control exercise.
In a face-saving measure, she “deployed” joint police commissioner (crime) Damayanti Sen and joint police commissioner (headquarters) Jawed Shamim of the Kolkata police to counter the allegation that she had interfered in the Park Street rape case.
The chief minister had on Thursday claimed that the entire incident was “fabricated” to malign her government. Later on the same day, Kolkata police commissioner R.K. Pachnanda had also addressed a news conference echoing her charges. However, on Saturday evening, after detailed investigation, Ms Sen announced that rape was indeed committed and three accused were arrested. The breakthrough left the chief minister red-faced.
Since then there has been speculation about a possible division in the top ranks of Kolkata police with some officers toeing the chief minister’s line while others insisting on working impartially. The rape victim singled out Ms Sen for praise hailing her as “the tigress and champ.”
The chief minister on Monday morning summoned Mr Pachnanda, special police commissioner Shivaji Ghosh, Mr Shamim and Ms Sen to the Writers’ Buildings to find ways to control the damage. Kolkata police which should have been celebrating the solving of a complicated case within four days, instead found itself mired in a major controversy. Source said, Ms Banerjee pulled up all four senior officers for not giving her a correct picture about the investigation.