Doctors Protest Nationwide After Trainee Doctor’s Tragic Death in Kolkata

North 24 Parganas (West Bengal) [India], August 14: After the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, a team of 12 members from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) visited the victim’s residence on Wednesday.

The incident, which occurred on August 9, has caused widespread outrage and led to protests within and beyond the medical community. The post-graduate trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The family has alleged that the victim was raped and murdered.

Doctors across the nation continue to protest over the murder and alleged sexual assault of the post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor, demanding justice for the victim. Protests were held in Kolkata, Guwahati, Hyderabad, and Mumbai on Wednesday. Protestors held placards reading, ‘Justice needs to be served,’ ‘No duty without security,’ and ‘Justice delayed is Justice denied.’

Dr. Indra Shekhar Prasad, President of the Resident Doctors Association at AIIMS, said, ‘What happened in Kolkata is not the only incident of its kind. Many such cases are happening daily in the country. Being a doctor is one of the noblest professions, we work in a temple-like atmosphere, and if doctors are not safe, how will the patients feel safe? Till the time we get concrete assurance of a long-term and strict law for the safety and security of doctors, health workers, and hospitals, we will continue with our strike.’

Dr. Suvrankar Datta, Vice-President of the Resident Doctors Association at AIIMS, added, ‘Our primary demand is to work on the security lapse in the medical infrastructure of the country. What happened in Kolkata can happen to anyone. We demand the Central Government to bring a Central Protection Act on an immediate basis, or either give us a written assurance that a legal provision to ensure the safety of healthcare workers will be brought soon.’

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police brought Sanjoy Roy, the alleged accused in the rape and murder of the post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor, to the Central Government Offices (CGO) Complex in Kolkata on Wednesday. Following an order from the Calcutta High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the case and dispatched a specialized medical and forensic team from Delhi. Members of the CBI team from Delhi also arrived at the CGO Complex in Kolkata.

According to CBI sources, a special team of medical officers and forensic experts from Delhi has reached the crime scene in Kolkata, where the doctor was allegedly raped. Meanwhile, the OPD services of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital continue to remain closed on Wednesday as junior doctors, while the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) is continuing its nationwide shutdown of OPD services over the incident.