The Central Bureau of Investigation’s next progress report on the R.G. Kar case to be submitted next week, will mainly focus on the findings of the central investigation agency based on the statements given by four colleagues of the victim lady doctor who had dinner with her on the same night she was raped and murdered.

The body of the victim was recovered from a seminar room within the premises of state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in North Kolkata on the morning of August 9, 2024, and later it was proved that she was raped and murdered on the intervening night of August 8 and August 9.

Sources aware of the development said that the new Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CBI is giving special emphasis on the statements given by these four colleagues of the victim, since they were among the last five people to see the victim alive, the fifth one being of course the sole convict in the case so far, Sanjay Roy.

Sources said that the members of the new SIT are also cross-examining whether the statements given by the four colleagues of the victim are in sync with what they stated during their interrogation by the members of the previous SIT of the CBI or if there are variations in their statements.

Sources said that these four colleagues have informed the new SIT members that on the night of August 8, 2024, all four of them as well as the victim were on night duty at the chest OPD of R.G. Kar.

He had also claimed that all of them had dinner together at around 10:30 p.m. and ate the food ordered by the victim through a food delivery App. They also informed the CBI that they were together till after midnight watching the Olympics games.

As per their versions, after watching the games, the victim had fallen asleep on a mattress of the same room where they had dinner. Two others went to the study room; one went to the rooms allotted to the medical interns and another one went to the ward for his night duty.

The doctor who went to the ward for night duty was the one to spot the victim’s body at 9.30 a.m. on August 9.

The Union Ministry of Health on Friday announced that India has crossed 80 lakh Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, marking an “important milestone” against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers.

In a post on X, the Health Ministry said: “India has crossed 80 lakh HPV vaccinations, marking another important milestone in strengthening preventive healthcare and advancing protection against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers.”

“With every vaccination, India takes another step towards a healthier, cancer-free future for its daughters,” it added.

The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years and above was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Rajasthan’s Ajmer in February.

The initiative aims to eradicate cervical cancer among women in India.

By expanding access to the HPV vaccine, the programme is expected to protect millions of girls across the country from developing life-threatening cancers in the future.

Earlier this year, Indian-American radiation oncologist Dattatreyudu Nori said HPV vaccination could give India a decisive advantage in its fight against cervical cancer and help eliminate the disease in the coming years.

“Now, with the HPV vaccination, we have an upper hand, and in few years, we’ll be able to eliminate cancer of the cervix from India.

The 2026 Padma Bhushan awardee described cervical cancer as preventable, detectable and curable, making the continued loss of lives particularly distressing for doctors working in oncology.

“Cancer of the cervix is preventable, is detectable, is treatable and curable,” he said.

Nori said about 200 women die of cervical cancer every day in India. He welcomed the introduction of free HPV vaccination for girls, saying it could substantially strengthen prevention efforts.

He also praised the changes he said had taken place in India’s healthcare sector over the past 12 years, particularly in cancer prevention and treatment.

“A lot of significant positive changes have happened in healthcare,” he said.

Nori also cited the establishment of the National Cancer Institute and the expansion of cancer treatment facilities among the important steps taken during this period.

Mumbai, Sep 10: Tensions have escalated near Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Terminal 2) after the Maharashtra Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) confirmed that a religious structure operating near the high-security zone lacks statutory planning permissions and is unauthorised.

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya has alleged a deliberate attempt at unauthorised land occupation — characterising the structure as “Land Jihad” — and has pressed state authorities and site operators to initiate criminal action against the trustees and individuals responsible.

Following complaints regarding unauthorised construction near sensitive airport land, MMRDA verified that no official approvals, building sanctions, or permissions were ever granted for the religious structure.

MMRDA has issued formal notices to Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) directing the immediate removal and demolition of the unauthorised structure to ensure the perimeter remains clear.

Somaiya has formally requested both MMRDA and MIAL to go beyond physical clearance by registering a First Information Report (FIR) against the managing trustees and individuals associated with the illegal construction.

The controversy highlights ongoing scrutiny surrounding unauthorised encroachments adjacent to critical national infrastructure. Officials note that unregulated structures near VIP corridors, taxi parking lanes, and terminal facilities pose significant security hazards.

The matter aligns with previous judicial observations where courts have emphasised that public safety and secure zones near international hubs supersede unauthorised religious claims or structures erected without explicit administrative approvals.

Authorities from MIAL and local police departments are currently reviewing directives provided by MMRDA regarding execution steps and necessary security arrangements during the scheduled clearance drive.