Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: AIIMS Delhi Students Stage Protest, RG Kar College Principal Quits

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) has announced a nationwide medical strike in response to the sexual assault and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Resident doctors in Bengal have already initiated an indefinite strike, demanding justice for the victim.

Dr. Meet Ghonia, Secretary of FORDA India, stated, "After call from @FordaIndia, All 10 Government Hospitals' RDA of Delhi are on strike from today. Resident Doctors of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu are also on strike from today. All other state RDAs will join by today."

The woman, a second-year postgraduate student in the chest medicine department, was found semi-nude with multiple injury marks in the hospital's seminar hall on Friday. She was on duty the previous night. Preliminary autopsy reports suggest she was sexually abused before being murdered, prompting her father to allege that she was raped and killed inside the hospital.

Kolkata Police have arrested a suspect, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer in the police welfare board, whose suspicious activities led to his identification.

Key developments:

• Protests by doctors from several top hospitals in Delhi.
• Resignation of Sandip Ghosh, the principal of RG Kar Medical College.
• Summoning of three junior doctors and a house staff who were on duty during the incident.
• A call by women across Bengal to occupy streets in protest on August 14.
• Cease-work declarations from all government medical colleges in West Bengal, AIIMS Delhi, and NIMHANS.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) announced a suspension of non-emergency services from 8:00 am on August 13 until their demands are met, including the appointment of a central agency to investigate the case, the establishment of a Central Protection Act, an audit and recruitment of security measures at medical institutions, and a detailed report on CCTV installations in hospitals.

A major rally by junior doctors in Kolkata is also planned.