West Bengal Doctors Protest Over Delay in Colleague's Rape-Murder Case

Junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital questioned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's seven-day deadline to solve the rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee. They vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met.

Despite Banerjee’s assurance of a transparent investigation, the protesters criticised the delay. They demanded a judicial inquiry, capital punishment for the culprits, and adequate compensation for the victim’s family.

Demands and Criticisms

The junior doctors also called for an apology from Kolkata Police, claiming rumours were being spread about the investigation. They demanded that all senior officials of the hospital be removed and not reassigned elsewhere.

Initially, police suspected it to be a suicide but later changed their version. "Why is the investigation delayed till Sunday? We are not happy with the probe. Our demands are clear. We want a judicial inquiry into the matter and capital punishment for the culprits. The family of the doctor must be well compensated," said an agitating junior doctor.

Administrative Changes

Talking to reporters outside the victim's house, Banerjee said that Sandip Ghosh, the principal of the hospital, had resigned from his post. "He has spoken about the abuses hurled at him after the incident. We have shifted him to another department. We have also removed the MSVP medical superintendent and vice principal due to negligence. The head of the chest medicine department and Kolkata Police’s ACP in charge of RG Kar hospital’s security have also been removed," she said.

Ghosh was named principal of Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, sparking another controversy as agitating junior doctors there locked the doors of the chamber meant for the principal. Dr Suhrita Paul was replaced by Ghosh at RGKMCH, according to an order.

Protests Continue

"We are stunned that Sandip Ghosh has been reinstated as principal of CNMC, just to add fuel to the fire. At the same time, Dr Suhrita Paul has been appointed as RGKMC principal in this ultra-sensitive moment," said Dr Punyabrata Gun, one of the convenors of the Joint Platform of Doctors, WB.

Dr Hiralal Konar, another joint convenor of the forum, claimed that efforts were being made to frustrate the entire system. He alleged that Paul was removed from her position as VC of WBUHS a few months back due to financial irregularities.

Strike Intensifies

Over the past three days, junior doctors had been attending only emergency duties but stopped even those on Monday morning. "We will continue our protest till justice is served and the state ensures foolproof security for all doctors and healthcare workers," said a protesting junior doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The body of the woman postgraduate trainee was found in a seminar hall at the hospital on Friday morning. A civic volunteer was arrested on Saturday in connection with the crime.

Additional Demands

The students also demanded that the post-mortem examination report of the victim and footage from CCTV near the seminar hall be made public. The state government has cancelled leave for all senior doctors to handle patient influxes as Mondays typically see high volumes in outpatient departments.

"Our senior doctors are on duty, and we hope they will handle the patient influx. They have been instructed to work until the situation stabilises," an official stated.

Nationwide Support

Support for striking doctors has come from across India. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) endorsed the strike and called for a nationwide halt of elective services. The West Bengal Doctors Forum appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for an impartial inquiry and increased security for healthcare workers.

Facing backlash over the incident, Ghosh resigned after junior doctors demanded his removal for failing to provide security to staff. On Monday, police spoke to seven doctors who were on duty with the deceased woman on Thursday night at Kolkata Police's Lalbazar headquarters.

"Out of these seven doctors, four had their dinner with her," an officer said. Police also spoke to five other persons including a woman known to the arrested accused. "Tomorrow we have summoned an assistant professor who telephoned her parents and informed them about her death," said a police officer.