Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Bengal Guv To Intervene After Family Faces Trouble; SC Urges Doctors To Resume Work

The parents of the woman doctor, who was allegedly raped and murdered in a Kolkata hospital, on Tuesday complained to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose that they did not receive a copy of the FIR.

Bose, who spoke to her parents twice over the phone during the day, assured them that he would look into the matter.

The governor first spoke to the father of the deceased post-graduate trainee and said that the entire country is standing by them.

Bose, while talking to the father, enquired about her mother's health condition and told him that he would be visiting their residence in Sodepur near Kolkata at their convenience.

"We all are with you. You will get justice. Today I am in Delhi, I held discussions in detail about the matter. I will go to your residence as per your convenience," Bose was seen telling the father in a video message released by his office.

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has condemned the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

In an emergent meeting, the Executive Committee of DHCBA unanimously called for stringent action against the perpetrators and urged both Central and State Governments to implement measures to prevent such incidents and enhance women's security.

Additionally, they resolved to provide pro-bono legal assistance to the victim's family to ensure justice. In solidarity and to honor the victim and her family, the Association has decided that members will wear white ribbon bands on August 21, 2024.

Welcoming the Supreme Court's intervention to stop attacks on medical professionals, the IMA, in an internal communication, said on Tuesday it will work with the committee appointed by the court on safety, security and other related matters, while asserting that a "central Act on violence is non-negotiable".

An internal communication sent to all the state presidents and secretaries and local branch presidents and secretaries by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) leadership said a central law on violence is non-negotiable and that the Centre is competent to take an appropriate decision in this regard.

"A central Act against violence is a policy matter. An ordinance in this regard is the demand of the IMA," it said.

The communication also said the IMA headquarters is studying the statement issued by the health ministry in this regard.

Members of different student outfits of Delhi University on Tuesday staged a demonstration on the campus against the rape and murder of a doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata.

Raising slogans for stronger women's safety measures, the students took out a march outside the Arts Faculty seeking justice for the victim.

Led by All India Students Association (AISA) and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), the students carried posters and banners bearing slogans such as "India should unite for women safety", "reclaim the streets", and "smash patriarchy".

The protestors demanded action against the accused and a transparent investigation.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the removal of the name, photos and videos of a trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, from all social media platforms.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said disclosure of the identity of a victim of sexual assault is a violation of its order passed in the Nipun Saxena case.

"The pictures and video clips of the body of the deceased has been circulating on social media...we direct that name, photographs and video clippings of the deceased be immediately removed from all social media platforms," the bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by lawyer Kinnori Ghosh and others against the disclosure of the victim medic's identity on social media.

The police on Tuesday resorted to a "mild lathi-charge" and arrested over 20 ABVP activists after a scuffle between them during a march to the West Bengal health department headquarters to protest against the alleged rape and murder of an RG Kar Hospital medic.

The protestors demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who also doubles up as the state's health and home minister.

The police had put up barricades at several roads leading to Swasthya Bhavan, which the ABVP activists tried to breach, a senior officer said.

"We have only one demand - the resignation of the chief minister. What happened at the (RG Kar) hospital is unthinkable," a woman ABVP activist said.

As Supreme Court constitutes a National Task Force, West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, "I welcome this step by the Supreme Court. The Court has issued an interim order so that such an incident doesn't repeat. We also expect that the incident that took place on August 9 and also on August 14, by the TMC goons - to vandalise the peaceful protest, action must be taken against it also, in the next hearing. It's all happening by a shared role of the state govt, and Kolkata police..."

The BJP on Tuesday said the Supreme Court’s observations in the rape and murder case of a medic in Kolkata have raised serious questions on the “mindset and morality” of the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal.

The party asserted the Centre will leave "no stone unturned" to ensure justice to the victim.

Latching on to the developments in the case, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also targeted the Congress and its allies, saying if the Constitution is under threat today, it is in West Bengal and the states ruled by the opposition INDIA bloc constituents.

He also accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of taking action against those seeking justice for the victim and asked people to imagine what would have been the scenario in the country if any of the constituents of the INDIA bloc had been in power at the Centre.

"Please trust us," the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while requesting the doctors protesting across the country over a Kolkata doctor's alleged rape and killing to call off the strike and resume work.

The court said abstention from the work of doctors affects those segments of the society that are in need of medical care.

"We earnestly appeal to all the doctors that we are here to ensure that their safety and protection is the matter of highest national concern. Please trust us, that is why we have not left the matter to the high court.

"We felt this is not just a matter of a serious offence but which affects the institution of healthcare pan India. Therefore the need for the Supreme Court to take up the matter," a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said.

A scuffle broke out between police personnel and ABVP activists during a march to Swasthya Bhavan, the headquarters of the West Bengal health department, in Salt Lake area to protest against the alleged rape and murder of an RG Kar hospital medic.

The protestors demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who also doubles up as the state's health and home minister.

The police had put up barricades at several roads leading to Swasthya Bhavan, which the ABVP activists tried to break through, a senior officer said.

"We only seek the resignation of the chief minister. The incident which happened at the hospital is unimaginable," a woman member of ABVP said.

Junior and resident doctors in Goa protesting against the Kolkata rape-murder case, on Tuesday called off their five-day-long stir following an assurance from the state government.

Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) called off the protest after state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane assured to look into their demands.

Routine services at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) were affected as the GARD was on strike since Friday afternoon in protest against the rape and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata's R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. But the emergency services were going on uninterrupted.

The protesting doctors have been pressing for several demands, including sprucing up of security at the GMCH.

Advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, the lawyer of the rape victim's parents spoke on Supreme Court's directives regarding Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, he said, "After taking suo motu cognisance, the directives taken by the Supreme Court are right. Regarding problems related to security and working conditions of doctors across India, the Supreme Court has formed a committee. This committee will give recommendations on which government had to work. In RG Kar Hospital incident, the court has criticised the activities of police and directed central agency to take responsibility for the security in RG Kar Hospital."

RDA (Resident Doctor Association) RML concludes their strike; states, "The decision comes in light of the government's acceptance of all critical demands put forward by resident doctors of India..."

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday allowed the West Bengal BJP to stage a demonstration near Shyambazar metro station in the city for five days from August 21 to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Commenting on today's SC hearing on the rape and murder case concerning Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "The court has issued some strict orders regarding the Kolkata incident. The orders will be followed by the central and state governments. But some questions arises about the carelessness of the Bengal government. It proves that Bengal govt was trying to hide facts. Their insensitiveness towards people has come to the fore. The accused was not a common person, he was a volunteer of Kolkata police. There is a bad record of him, how he was made a volunteer? After the incident, the role of principal came in question. I condemn this incident. No matter how much sympathy we show, we cannot compensate the loss of the family."

The Supreme Court has now listed the matter of RG Kar Hospital for further hearing on August 22. On the same day, both the CBI and the West Bengal government are expected to submit the investigation status reports as well.

-SC constituted 10-member task force to formulate national protocol for ensuring safety, facilities for doctors.

-SC directed West Bengal to file status report by August 22 on progress of probe into mob attack on RG Kar hospital.

-SC said West Bengal government must ensure vandals who attacked RG Kar hospital are arrested and FIR filed against them.

-Nation cannot wait for another rape for things to change on ground, SC said on Kolkata rape-murder case. READ FULL STORY

The top court on Tuesday directed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to provide security at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and hospital to enable doctors to resume work.

Taking cognisance of the act of vandalism at RG Kar Hospital premises on August 14, the top court said the power of the West Bengal government should not be unleashed on protestors as its time of national catharsis. Furthermore,

According to the CJI, the newly constituted NTF is required to consult all stakeholders bearing in mind the urgency and gravity of the situation and the task force is also required to submit an interim report within 3 weeks and a final report in 2 months from the date of this order.

The Supreme Court listed the following as the ex-officio members of the NTF.

• The cabinet secretary to the GOI

• The home secretary of GOI

• The secretary of ministry of family welfare

According to SC, National Task Force (NTF) shall make actions plans on two heads.

1. Preventing violence including gender based violence against medical professionals

2. Providing an enforceable national protocol for dignified and safe working conditions for interns, residents, senior residents, doctors etc

The apex court directed the West Bengal government to file status report by August 22 on progress of probe into mob attack on RG Kar hospital.

The top court on Tuesday announced the National Task force who will send recommendations of the modalities to be followed across the country for the safety measures for senior and junior doctors to be followed.

According to the CJI, task force will include the following names:

• Surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian

• Dr Reddy, Mangaing Director Asian Institute of National Gastrology

• Dr M Srivas, Director AIIMS, Delhi

• Dr Prathima Moorthy, NIMHANS, Bangalore 

• Dr Puri, Director, AIIMs, Jodhpur

• Dr Ravat, Managing member of Gangaram Hospital

• Prof Anita Saxena, VC of Pandit BD Sharma College

• Dr Pallavi

• Dr Padma Srivastav

"Nation cannot wait for another rape for things to change on ground, says SC on Kolkata rape-murder case. West Bengal govt was expected to maintain law and order and protect crime scene, unable to comprehend why state could not do so", said the apex court.

The top court blasted RG Kar Hospital over the fact that the FIR was registered 3 hours after cremation. According to Live Law, While the body of the deceased doctor was handed for cremation at 8:30 PM, her father first complained about the incident at 11:45 PM.

"A national task force is being set up. We want them to give recommendations of the modalities to be followed across the country for the safety measures for senior and junior doctors to be followed", CJI DY Chandrachud said.

"We want CBI to file a status report on Thursday. We want CBI apprise us on the status of investigation", says the apex court

While hearing the details of the incident that took place at RG Kar Hospital on that night when the on-duty doctor was raped and murdered, the CJI asked, "What was the principal doing? FIR was not Filed; body was handed late to parents; what is the police doing? a serious offence has taken place, the crime scene has taken in hospital...what are they doing? allowing vandalists to enter the hospital ?"

"If women are not able to go to work and conditions are not safe, we are denying them equality. We know they are all intern, resident doctors and most importantly woman doctors....most of the young doctors are putting in 36 hours ....we must evolve a national protocol to ensure safe conditions of work are provided. This is now not just a matter relating a particular rape issue in hospital, but it deals with systemic issue of safety of doctors across India", said CJI

Hearing the case concerning the rape and murder of the in-duty doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital, CJI DY Chandrachud said,"We are deeply concerned of the fact that the name of the victim has been all over the media, the photographs and videos are all over the media, this is extremely concerning."

The Kolkata Police have registered a corruption case against Sandip Ghosh, the former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the body of a 31-year-old post-graduate trainee doctor was found after she was raped and murdered. 

The state police is probing financial irregularities at the state-run hospital, a matter that has been under scrutiny since a complaint was lodged in June.

Senior TMC minister Udayan Guha has sparked controversy by claiming that fingers of those blaming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and demanding her resignation over the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor would be broken.

His threat was heard in a video clip that has gone viral. PTI, however, could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

“People who are attacking Mamata Banerjee, pointing fingers at her, and demanding her resignation will never succeed. Those pointing fingers at the CM will be broken and crushed,” he was heard saying in the video.

(Via PTI)

The healthcare services were severely affected at state-run hospitals across West Bengal as the ceasework agitation by junior doctors to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a woman medic entered the 12th day on Tuesday.

Long queues of patients were seen at several government-run hospitals in the state where senior doctors and assistant professors attended them at OPDs.

The investigation into the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital has now been handed over to two of the CBI's top women officers with a record of success in a few such cases inclusing Hathras and Unnao.

As per reports, the overall charge belongs to 1994 batch IPS officer from Jharkhand Sampat Meena while she will be assisted by Seema Pahuja, another officer was a part of the Hathras investigation team.

The Health Ministry has allowed enhancement of security deployment by 25 percent at all union government hospitals amid protests by resident doctors demanding a central law following the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital.

Officials said that apart from the standard security protocol, the deployment of marshals would also be approved based on individual demands by government hospitals after they conduct their security assessment.

Artists in West Bengal's Siliguri held a protest against the recent rape and murder of the 31-year-old on-duty doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College & Hospital.

Protesting against the gruesome rape and murder of the 31-year-old Kolkata doctor and demanding justice for her, people held a midnight candlelight march in Shimla.

Upon being asked by the police to appear before it for the posts they shared on social media, senior doctors Kunal Sarkar and Subarna Goswami on Monday appeared before the police.

The procession that began at the Medical College, Calcutta, was stopped by the police near Phears Lane-BB Ganguly Street Crossing, and the two doctors were escorted to the police headquarters by senior officers.

On Supreme Court taking suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of a doctor in RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, advocate Satyam Singh says, " Federation of Residents of Doctor Association (FORDA) had moved an intervention application in Suo Motu PIL in Kolkata rape and murder case taken by Supreme Court...FORDA demanded to issue a guideline in light of the current guidelines with respect to health professionals. The association also demanded to deploy the central forces to protect the staff of RG Kar Medical College till the pendency of the case."

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up to investigate the financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College. As per reports, the SIT will be led by IGP-ranked officer Pranav Kumar.

"I am directed hereby to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct inquiry and investigation into the allegations of financial irregularities in R G Kar Hospital during the period between January 2021 till date," the Special Secretary to the Government of West Bengal said in a statement. 

The alleged rape-murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital reportedly exposed a rift within the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over how to handle the issue and the ensuing protests.

"There are differences within the party on how the incident should have been tackled. Some feel the state's response has been slow, allowing the protests to escalate. Others believe that opposition parties have seized the opportunity to use the protests against the government," a senior TMC leader said on condition of anonymity.

In view of the recent incident of an on-duty doctor's brutal rape and murder at RG Kar Hospital, the Bengal health department on Monday launched the 'Rattierer Saathi' program for the safety of women working night shifts

The new guidelines will be enforced in medical colleges, hospitals, and hostels where similar provisions are not already in place, the order said.

Under these guidelines, separate designated restrooms with toilets for women will be set up and women volunteers will be assigned on duty during nighttime shifts.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday received the Supreme Court's nod to conduct the polygraph test on accused Sanjay Roy who currently is in the central probe agency's custody.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case suo motu case related to the rape and murder of the junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, which had taken cognisance of the incident, has kept the matter on top of the cause list for hearing at 10:30 am on Tuesday.

The suo motu cognisance of the case, titled "In Re: Alleged rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, and related issue", assumes significance in view of the fact that Calcutta High Court is already in action and has transferred the probe into the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

• A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been set up to investigate the financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College.

• The investigation into the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital has now been handed over to two of the CBI's top women officers with a record of success in a few such cases inclusing Hathras and Unnao.

• The Kolkata Police have registered a corruption case against Sandip Ghosh, the former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

• SC constituted 10-member task force to formulate national protocol for ensuring safety, facilities for doctors.

• SC directed West Bengal to file status report by August 22 on progress of probe into mob attack on RG Kar hospital.

• SC said West Bengal government must ensure vandals who attacked RG Kar hospital are arrested and FIR filed against them.

• Nation cannot wait for another rape for things to change on ground, SC said on Kolkata rape-murder case. READ FULL STORY

• The Supreme Court has now listed the matter of RG Kar Hospital for further hearing on August 22.

• Resident Doctor Association of RML Hospital in Delhi concludes their strike.

• West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose may intervene after victim's family says they did not receive a copy of the FIR