Update: September 20, 2024
After 42 days, doctors in Kolkata have called off their strike following the West Bengal government's issuance of directives aimed at ensuring the safety, security, and efficient functioning of all healthcare professionals. They have also announced that they will resume emergency services in state-run health facilities starting Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Update: September 12, 2024
The protesting doctors are demanding for the resignation of senior health officials, including the Principal Secretary of Health and the Directors of Health services and Medical Education.
The standoff between the protesting doctors and the West Bengal government continues as the government refused to allow the live streaming of the proceedings of the meeting with the doctors. In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has offered to resign.
Update: September 2, 2024
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four people, including former principal of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, in connection with the allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure, which are being investigated by the central agency alongside the rape-murder case.
Update: August 22, 2024
The Supreme Court asked doctors protesting over the rape and murder case at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College to resume work, and assured them that no adverse action will be taken once they rejoin.
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the states to take urgent steps to institutionalize the safety of medics across the country.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Supreme Court that the crime scene at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata had been tampered with.
CBI granted permission by the apex court to conduct a polygraph test on former Principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and four doctors in Kolkata rape-murder case.
Update: August 21, 2024
The Union Health Ministry issued an office memorandum for the constitution of the National Task Force (NTF) to formulate protocols governing the safety of doctors. The panel will be headed by Cabinet Secretary, Government of India as its Chairperson.
Update: August 20, 2024
The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force to look into the modalities that need to be adhered to ensure the safety of medical professionals across the country.
The Supreme Court asked the CBI to submit a status report on its investigation on August 22. The CBI was also scheduled to look into the mob vandalism at the hospital and provide all details.
The Supreme Court has directed for the removal of all pictures and videos disclosing the identity and body of the doctor who was raped and murdered in RG Kar Hospital.
The Supreme Court criticized the West Bengal government for mishandling the case and asked them to submit a report on the mob which had entered the hospital, which was the scene of the crime, during a peaceful protest.
Update: August 19, 2024
The autopsy report of the woman doctor revealed that the doctor was sexually assaulted multiple times by more than one person before she was strangulated and smothered to death.
Update: August 18, 2024
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the case. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud is scheduled to hear the case, instituted on the court’s own motion, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Update: August 14
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation as per the directions of Calcutta High Court.
Update: August 13
The Calcutta High Court directed a CBI probe, pointing out that there has been no significant progress in the investigation and raising questions as to why the police had registered a case of unnatural death after a case of rape and murder.
Partners:
National Council for Women Leaders (NCWL)
Decision Makers:
1. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda
2. Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi
3. West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee
Demands:
1. A fast-track judicial inquiry to ensure "exemplary punishment" for all involved perpetrators.
2. A thorough and transparent investigation to address the doctors' concerns about the credibility of the ongoing inquiry.
3. Immediate suspension and legal action against Police officers who committed serious legal violations and irregularities in the initial stages of the investigation.
4. Ensuring due Implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, in letter and spirit at the RG Kar Medical College. This must include the provision of CCTV cameras, on-call and restrooms with proper bathrooms and appropriate lighting in all spaces.
5. Ensuring proper action is taken against those revealing the victim's identity through social media.
6. Ensuring passing of the bill “The Prevention of Violence Against Doctors, Medical Professionals and Medical Institutions Bill, 2019” as a legislation.
7. Implementation of adequate workplace security measures in all medical colleges across India.
She was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and private parts, and there were eleven injury marks on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger and lips [1]. I’m sure these details that have emerged in the Kolkata rape case will shock you, as they shook me.
The rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in the wee hours of Friday, 9th August 2024, while she was on duty, has led to huge public outrage across the nation. The incident has raised serious questions on the safety and security of doctors at medical establishments and women at large in India [2].
The body of the doctor, who had gone to rest during her 36-hour on-call duty in the Seminar Hall of the Pulmonology Department, was discovered by her junior colleagues the next morning. This horrifying incident triggered protests across hospitals and medical colleges, especially in Kolkata. Doctors have called for a halt in services to protest against the lack of safety provisions and arrangements for female medical staff on hospital premises.
The Indian Medical Association's survey revealed a startling truth: 75% of doctors in India have faced violence [3]. For women doctors or gender non-binary individuals, the situation is even more dire - owing to the vulnerability of their gender to violence. Following the incident, many of them do not feel safe anymore. However, they keep showing up, despite the risks they face every day.
The principal of the medical college, Dr Sandip Ghosh, initially attempted to dismiss the case as a suicide. Following widespread rage among doctors, the police registered it as a case of rape and murder, eventually arresting Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer allegedly caught on camera entering and leaving the premises. Dr Sandip Ghosh has since stepped down from his position. However, the government has reassigned him to the role of Principal at the city’s National Medical College [4].
Despite growing demands from doctors, the CCTV footage of the crime scene remains unreleased. The injuries sustained by the trainee doctor suggest that more than one person was involved [1]. Roy, the main suspect, is a civic volunteer with connections to the Kolkata Police. This has left many doctors feeling deeply betrayed and struggling to trust the authorities who are supposed to protect them.
The importance of immediate action in this matter cannot be emphasized enough. If decisive steps are not taken, it will only empower those who commit such heinous acts and undermine the trust of citizens in the very system meant to protect them.
We urge the authorities to take immediate action to safeguard the safety and dignity of our doctors. We must act now - before more lives are put at risk and trust in the system is irreparably damaged.
Sources:
Update: September 20, 2024
After 42 days, doctors in Kolkata have called off their strike following the West Bengal government's issuance of directives aimed at ensuring the safety, security, and efficient functioning of all healthcare professionals. They have also announced that they will resume emergency services in state-run health facilities starting Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Update: September 12, 2024
The protesting doctors are demanding for the resignation of senior health officials, including the Principal Secretary of Health and the Directors of Health services and Medical Education.
The standoff between the protesting doctors and the West Bengal government continues as the government refused to allow the live streaming of the proceedings of the meeting with the doctors. In response, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has offered to resign.
Update: September 2, 2024
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four people, including former principal of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, in connection with the allegations of financial irregularities during his tenure, which are being investigated by the central agency alongside the rape-murder case.
Update: August 22, 2024
The Supreme Court asked doctors protesting over the rape and murder case at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College to resume work, and assured them that no adverse action will be taken once they rejoin.
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the states to take urgent steps to institutionalize the safety of medics across the country.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Supreme Court that the crime scene at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata had been tampered with.
CBI granted permission by the apex court to conduct a polygraph test on former Principal Dr Sandip Ghosh and four doctors in Kolkata rape-murder case.
Update: August 21, 2024
The Union Health Ministry issued an office memorandum for the constitution of the National Task Force (NTF) to formulate protocols governing the safety of doctors. The panel will be headed by Cabinet Secretary, Government of India as its Chairperson.
Update: August 20, 2024
The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force to look into the modalities that need to be adhered to ensure the safety of medical professionals across the country.
The Supreme Court asked the CBI to submit a status report on its investigation on August 22. The CBI was also scheduled to look into the mob vandalism at the hospital and provide all details.
The Supreme Court has directed for the removal of all pictures and videos disclosing the identity and body of the doctor who was raped and murdered in RG Kar Hospital.
The Supreme Court criticized the West Bengal government for mishandling the case and asked them to submit a report on the mob which had entered the hospital, which was the scene of the crime, during a peaceful protest.
Update: August 19, 2024
The autopsy report of the woman doctor revealed that the doctor was sexually assaulted multiple times by more than one person before she was strangulated and smothered to death.
Update: August 18, 2024
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the case. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud is scheduled to hear the case, instituted on the court’s own motion, on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Update: August 14
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation as per the directions of Calcutta High Court.
Update: August 13
The Calcutta High Court directed a CBI probe, pointing out that there has been no significant progress in the investigation and raising questions as to why the police had registered a case of unnatural death after a case of rape and murder.
Partners:
National Council for Women Leaders (NCWL)
Decision Makers:
1. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda
2. Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi
3. West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee
Demands:
1. A fast-track judicial inquiry to ensure "exemplary punishment" for all involved perpetrators.
2. A thorough and transparent investigation to address the doctors' concerns about the credibility of the ongoing inquiry.
3. Immediate suspension and legal action against Police officers who committed serious legal violations and irregularities in the initial stages of the investigation.
4. Ensuring due Implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, in letter and spirit at the RG Kar Medical College. This must include the provision of CCTV cameras, on-call and restrooms with proper bathrooms and appropriate lighting in all spaces.
5. Ensuring proper action is taken against those revealing the victim's identity through social media.
6. Ensuring passing of the bill “The Prevention of Violence Against Doctors, Medical Professionals and Medical Institutions Bill, 2019” as a legislation.
7. Implementation of adequate workplace security measures in all medical colleges across India.
She was bleeding from her eyes, mouth and private parts, and there were eleven injury marks on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger and lips [1]. I’m sure these details that have emerged in the Kolkata rape case will shock you, as they shook me.
The rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in the wee hours of Friday, 9th August 2024, while she was on duty, has led to huge public outrage across the nation. The incident has raised serious questions on the safety and security of doctors at medical establishments and women at large in India [2].
The body of the doctor, who had gone to rest during her 36-hour on-call duty in the Seminar Hall of the Pulmonology Department, was discovered by her junior colleagues the next morning. This horrifying incident triggered protests across hospitals and medical colleges, especially in Kolkata. Doctors have called for a halt in services to protest against the lack of safety provisions and arrangements for female medical staff on hospital premises.
The Indian Medical Association's survey revealed a startling truth: 75% of doctors in India have faced violence [3]. For women doctors or gender non-binary individuals, the situation is even more dire - owing to the vulnerability of their gender to violence. Following the incident, many of them do not feel safe anymore. However, they keep showing up, despite the risks they face every day.
The principal of the medical college, Dr Sandip Ghosh, initially attempted to dismiss the case as a suicide. Following widespread rage among doctors, the police registered it as a case of rape and murder, eventually arresting Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer allegedly caught on camera entering and leaving the premises. Dr Sandip Ghosh has since stepped down from his position. However, the government has reassigned him to the role of Principal at the city’s National Medical College [4].
Despite growing demands from doctors, the CCTV footage of the crime scene remains unreleased. The injuries sustained by the trainee doctor suggest that more than one person was involved [1]. Roy, the main suspect, is a civic volunteer with connections to the Kolkata Police. This has left many doctors feeling deeply betrayed and struggling to trust the authorities who are supposed to protect them.
The importance of immediate action in this matter cannot be emphasized enough. If decisive steps are not taken, it will only empower those who commit such heinous acts and undermine the trust of citizens in the very system meant to protect them.
We urge the authorities to take immediate action to safeguard the safety and dignity of our doctors. We must act now - before more lives are put at risk and trust in the system is irreparably damaged.
Sources: