Kolkata Doctor Rape Case: Junior Doctors Protest Amid Ongoing CBI Investigation

Protests Continue Over Alleged Rape and Murder at RG Kar Hospital

INDIA: Junior doctors in Kolkata have intensified their protests for the third consecutive day, staging a sit-in outside the West Bengal Health Department headquarters. The protests were triggered by the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, which occurred on August 9, 2024, has sent shockwaves across the nation, prompting widespread outrage.

The doctors, refusing to resume work until their demands are met, are calling for justice for their colleague. “We stick to our demand,” one protesting doctor said. Demonstrations have been held outside Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department’s headquarters in Salt Lake, as junior doctors show solidarity with the victim and press for action.

Chief Minister’s Offer to Resign and Demand for Justice

Amidst the growing unrest, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to resign if it would expedite justice in the case. In a video message on Thursday, she stated, “I am ready to resign from the Chief Minister of West Bengal. I am not concerned about the post. I want justice. I am only concerned about justice getting served.”

Banerjee also appealed for calm and urged the protesting doctors to return to work, noting the Supreme Court’s instructions. She added, “We want that, as per the Supreme Court instruction, they [doctors] must join their duty.” Despite the Court’s ruling, the doctors have continued their strike, with Banerjee indicating the government’s reluctance to take disciplinary action thus far. “It is our duty to tolerate sometimes,” she said, urging for a resolution.

CBI Investigation Deepens as Evidence is Gathered

In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) collected the dental impression of Sanjay Roy, the prime suspect in the case, as part of its probe. Roy, who has been arrested, is believed to have left bite marks on the victim, and the dental impression could play a crucial role in determining the veracity of this evidence. “There were bite marks on the body of the woman and the post-mortem report has mentioned those. Our idea is to match those with the accused’s dental impression,” a CBI official told news agency PTI.

The CBI is under immense pressure to conduct a thorough and swift investigation, as calls for justice grow louder from both the public and medical community. The gravity of the case has led to nationwide attention, with many calling for reforms in hospital safety and accountability.

Failed Negotiations and Continued Protests

Tensions remain high as negotiations between the West Bengal government and the protesting junior doctors have stalled. On Thursday, an attempt to resolve the impasse failed when the state government rejected the doctors’ demand for live-streaming the discussions. The doctors argued that transparency in talks was crucial, especially with the matter being in the public eye.

Chief Minister Banerjee, however, countered that live-streaming the meeting would be impossible due to the sub-judice status of the case. “The issue is sub-judice and before the Supreme Court,” she explained, further complicating efforts to bring the parties to the negotiating table.

Governor Calls for “Social Boycott” of Chief Minister

Amidst the ongoing unrest, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose took a sharp stance against Chief Minister Banerjee, announcing a “social boycott” of her. He declared, “I will not be sharing any public platform with the Chief Minister nor will I participate in any public program which involves the Chief Minister.” Bose’s decision stems from his frustration with how the case has been handled, particularly his concern over serious criminal allegations involving senior officials in the Kolkata Police.

“My role as Governor will be confined to the constitutional obligations which I have discharged in respect of the Chief Minister,” Bose stated, emphasizing the limitations of his future interactions with her. This public rift adds further complexity to an already tense political and legal situation.

Investigations into Financial Irregularities at RG Kar Hospital

On Thursday morning, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at properties linked to Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, who was arrested in connection with financial irregularities at the institution. These investigations are running parallel to the criminal investigation into the rape-murder case, adding another layer of scrutiny on the medical establishment.

As investigations continue and protests show no sign of abating, the RG Kar Hospital incident remains a flashpoint in the state, highlighting not only concerns about the safety of medical staff but also broader issues of governance and accountability in West Bengal’s health sector.