The tragic death of a female trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata has triggered widespread outrage, with sources indicating that she may have been sexually assaulted before being murdered. The 31-year-old second-year postgraduate medical student was found dead at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Friday, with visible injuries suggesting a brutal attack.
The police have registered a case of rape and murder, but an official statement on the cause of death is pending as the postmortem report has yet to be released.
Students at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital & Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences protest against the shocking case of alleged brutal rape and murder of a doctor and post-graduate medical student at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.
The student had gone to rest… pic.twitter.com/8ir2RbKFc3
— Saurabh Gupta(Micky) (@MickyGupta84) August 10, 2024
Sources revealed that the victim had injuries on her private parts, face, lips, neck, stomach, fingers, and ankle. After reportedly having a late dinner on Thursday night, she went to study in the seminar hall on the third floor of the hospital. She was discovered unconscious the following morning.
The autopsy, conducted in the presence of a magistrate, was videographed to ensure transparency. While the police await the postmortem results, they have already added rape and murder charges to the case and arrested a suspect. The man in custody is reportedly an outsider who had unrestricted access to various hospital departments.
The victim’s mother has alleged that her daughter was found in a semi-nude state, with broken spectacles and injury marks on her body, strongly suggesting foul play.
The incident has sparked protests among junior doctors across West Bengal, who are demanding swift and severe punishment for those responsible.
Mamata Banerjee Vows Swift Justice
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident as “unfortunate and despicable,” acknowledging the justified anger of the victim’s colleagues. In a statement to a local TV channel, she said, “I spoke to the victim’s family and assured them of proper action. I have directed for the case to be taken to a fast-track court. If needed, the accused will be hanged, even though I am not pro-capital punishment. They should be given the strictest punishment.”
Mamata Banerjee also called on the protesting doctors to continue serving patients while ensuring that justice is served.
BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari Calls for CBI Investigation
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and a prominent BJP leader, has demanded that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Adhikari raised concerns about the initial findings, stating, “The body of the second-year postgraduate student at RG Kar Medical College, found dead inside the Seminar Hall on the 3rd floor of the emergency building under mysterious circumstances, reportedly had injury marks. Unconfirmed reports suggest signs of strangulation and traces of seminal fluid. This appears to be a clear case of murder, possibly involving rape. The case should be immediately transferred to the CBI.”
He criticized the state government’s response, highlighting the formation of an 11-member inquiry committee that includes interns, which he described as a sign of the government’s negligence or lack of seriousness.
Adhikari also called on the student community, particularly medical students, to protest “vigorously” against what he described as the State Government’s “complacent attitude.”
In response, Chief Minister Banerjee stated that she has no objection to a central agency probe, asserting that the administration has “nothing to hide.”
