On August 9, 2024, the semi-nude body of a woman postgraduate trainee (PGT) doctor was found inside the seminar hall of the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The deceased, a second-year student of the chest medicine department, was on duty when she was allegedly raped and killed inside the hospital. Her body was found lying on a blood-stained mattress. The preliminary autopsy report mentioned that the woman doctor was sexually abused and had bled from both eyes and mouth.
Arrest of the Accused
In an overnight breakthrough, Kolkata Police arrested the main accused, Sanjay Roy, using a piece of critical evidence – a bluetooth headphone he had left behind at the crime scene. Sanjay Roy, who appeared in the CCTV footage wandering suspiciously near the seminar hall where the murder occurred, was also seen leaving the hospital in the early hours of Friday morning. When confronted by the police team, Sanjay broke down and confessed to committing the crime. It was later revealed that Sanjay Roy was a civic police volunteer by profession, deputed to assist lower-ranked police officers admitted to hospitals.
Randeep Hooda’s Anger and Demand for Justice
Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda, who hails from a family of doctors, including his sister Anjali Hooda Sangwan, expressed his anger and distress over the incident. In a social media post, Hooda penned a note saying, “Been speechless and distraught about the horror that seems to repeat itself in our society.. coming from a family of doctors and my sister also being one just sends chills down my spine.. medical professionals need to be protected no doubt.. but the predators don’t see profession in seems..
it has to be a societal change not restricted to people who understand the language I write in and that’ll take time.. the first and immediate step could be swift and severe punishment given out… that punishment should be covered and propagated by the media/social media as much as the tragic incident itself if not more. Heinous crimes deserve even more heinous punishment. At this trying hour I stand with family and the medical fraternity for justice and my heart goes out to the girls family. Om Shanti!”
Nationwide Protests and Demands
The incident sparked a massive outrage amongst the medical fraternity, with scores of junior doctors at various hospitals in West Bengal holding protest sit-ins and taking out processions, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in the case. Resident doctors of government hospitals across the country went on an indefinite strike on Monday to protest the recent rape and murder of the trainee doctor in Kolkata, paralysing elective services including OPDs and non-emergency surgeries.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) demanded an impartial and thorough investigation of the case and punishment of the culprits from the West Bengal government. IMA had written to the health minister demanding a detailed inquiry into the conditions enabling the crime as well as the steps to improve the safety of doctors, especially women, in the workplace.
Calcutta High Court Orders CBI Investigation
The Calcutta High Court ordered a CBI investigation into the sexual assault and murder of the woman post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Court asked the Kolkata Police to hand over all documents to the CBI immediately. A protesting doctor reacted to the news, saying, “We are very happy and relieved that the case has been transferred to CBI. The accused will be arrested soon now…”
Mamata Banerjee Seeks Death Penalty for the Accused
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledged to transfer the case to the CBI if the state police fail to solve it by Sunday. She also sought the death penalty for the accused, Sanjay Roy.
Lack of Security in Hospitals
The incident has raised questions about the lack of security measures in hospitals compared to other public places like airports. As per the Economic Times report, “We can never fathom out why our airports are safe zones with three layer security while hospitals are given a pause. Neither do we understand why violence on airlines staff and their… From the West Bengal state government, the IMA demanded an impartial thorough investigation into the case and punishment to the culprits, besides a detailed inquiry into the conditions enabling the crime.”
Proposed Bill to Protect Healthcare Staff
The 2019 bill drafted by the Health Ministry to check violence against doctors and other healthcare professionals was put on the back burner after the Home Ministry stated that there was no need for a separate law in this regard. The draft bill had provisions to punish people who assault on-duty doctors and other healthcare professionals by imposing a jail term of up to 10 years.
Remorseless Accused
Three days after he was arrested for allegedly raping and murdering the postgraduate trainee doctor, Sanjay Roy remained remorseless during the investigation, police said. Roy confessed to sexually assaulting and murdering the doctor of the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital and even told the interrogating officers that they could hang him if they wanted to.
Conclusion
The rape and murder of the trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked nationwide outrage and protests demanding justice for the victim and better security measures for medical professionals, especially women. Randeep Hooda’s anger and demand for ‘heinous punishment’ for the accused have resonated with the medical fraternity and the general public. The Calcutta High Court’s order for a CBI investigation and Mamata Banerjee’s call for the death penalty for the accused have raised hopes for swift justice. However, the incident has also highlighted the need for a comprehensive law to protect healthcare staff and improve security in hospitals to prevent such heinous crimes in the future.