Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday denied having offered money to the parents of the young doctor raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

“A lot of people are saying I spoke about money. I never did. Show me evidence, where have I ever mentioned anything about money? Lies, slander, false propaganda, conspiracy,” Mamata told a news conference on Monday.

Mamata said when she went to meet the doctor’s parents on August 12, the police commissioner accompanied her.

“I asked the CP (commissioner of police) to record their grievances,” she said.

“...It was videographed. I did a press conference (after meeting the parents). The police commissioner was with me. You (reporters) put questions to her parents after that. We have that recorded as well.” she said.

On September 4, the doctor’s father alleged that the deputy commissioner (north) of Kolkata Police had “offered money” to them moments after they returned home from the hospital the day their daughter died.

Mamata on Monday said that a day before her visit, the Residential Doctors’ Forum had issued a statement and made certain demands.

“You must remember, a day before my visit, the Residential Doctors’ Forum issued an official statement. The third point they made was about adequate compensation to the victim’s family,” Mamata said.

On Mamata’s request, the chief secretary read out the statement of the doctors’ forum.

“Apart from that, there is a Supreme Court directive on helping such victims. But I still did not say it,” she said.

“What I had told the parents, on record, was the same thing I later said outside. ‘That money can never be a compensation for death. You are heartbroken and we are heartbroken, too. But if you ever wish to do something good in your daughter’s memory, let me know. Our government stands beside you’. Nothing else,” said Mamata.

“I know what to say and when. The same thing I told officially to the press (reporters). Despite that, people are still engaging in slander. What do they want? Do they want justice or do they want to keep the case dragging in the name of justice?” she said.

Mamata had clarified her stand on August 14, too.

She had then said: “See we have a duty. The woman will not come back. But if you want to do something in her memory, you can do it. I will give money, whatever it takes.”

“People who are talking about compensation, I am telling them, I have already given directions. We can give ₹10 lakh to the family. But I must be very clear, her mother said ‘First let there be justice for our daughter, then we will talk to you about this’,” she had said.