Kolkata rape: Mamata Banerjee goes on the offensive; says would have ensured capital punishment if...

Even as the state-wide 12-hour shutdown called by the BJP, demanding the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the rape and murder of the doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, is underway, the CM claimed that if the state government had power, it would have ensured capital punishment for the accused within seven days.

Addressing a TMC students wing rally, the chief minister said they plan to launch a movement to seek capital punishment for the accused in the doctor's rape and murder case. We will pass an amendment to state laws in assembly next week and fix death by hanging to perpetrators of rape, she said.

“We will send this bill to the governor. If he doesn't pass, we will sit outside Raj Bhavan. This bill must be passed and he cannot evade accountability this time."

"We have dedicated this day to the RG Kar doctor. We want justice but BJP today called for a bandh. They don't want justice, they are only trying to defame Bengal," the CM said.

She accused the BJP of plotting a conspiracy to derail the probe and claimed that the state-wide bandh is aimed at defaming Bengal.

The CM said it has been 16 days since the CBI took over the probe and asked where is justice.

She urged the agitating junior doctors to join work now and promised that no action will be initiated against them.