New Delhi: A junior doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The day after the murder, Kolkata Police arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy based on broken headphones and CCTV footage.
The police and hospital management faced accusations of tampering with evidence and conspiring to cover up the crime. Following a petition filed in the Calcutta High Court, the CBI began its investigation.
CBI questioned over 100 people
During the investigation, the CBI questioned more than 100 people and conducted polygraph tests on ten suspects. Accused Sanjay Roy underwent a psycho test as well.
Based on interrogations and evidence, the CBI arrested former principal of RG Kar Medical College, Sandeep Ghosh, and former officer-in-charge of the Tala police station, Abhijit Mandal. Currently, all three suspects are in jail remand, marking a total of three arrests in this case. The matter is now pending in the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court hearing on September 30
The case is set for another hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday, with public attention focused on this session. The hearing is scheduled for 2 pm, and it will be heard by a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra.
The last hearing regarding the RG Kar case took place on September 17. The hearing originally scheduled for September 27 was postponed, making the upcoming session even more significant.
According to available information, the CBI will present its status report during the hearing in the Supreme Court, detailing what the investigation has uncovered so far. The CBI has previously submitted two status reports to the Supreme Court, both presented in sealed envelopes.
During the hearings, CBI lawyers have suggested a larger conspiracy and have expressed satisfaction with the progress of the investigation. They have raised questions about the police’s role during the initial investigation, alleging that the crime scene was tampered with and significantly altered. The CBI has also questioned the validity of the postmortem report and other investigative findings.
Doctors protest demanding justice
The parents of the deceased continue to demand justice, accusing the hospital management of tampering with evidence. Junior doctors have protested for more than a month, calling for justice and improved security measures.
After receiving assurances from health department officials, including the transfer of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the doctors temporarily suspended their strike. However, they have warned that if security is not provided or if any incidents occur, they will protest again.
Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on Monday, junior doctors held another procession on Sunday to demand justice. That evening, they took to the streets, organising seven torchlight processions throughout Kolkata. Junior doctors from district medical colleges also participated in these demonstrations.
They announced their intent to continue protests, demanding security in all medical colleges and hospitals across the state. Participants claimed that, with Durga Puja approaching, the general public stands in solidarity with their cause.
Although the junior doctors previously stated they would continue protests despite suspending their agitation, they have announced new protest initiatives from the stage of the Jan Sammelan. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case involving the rape and murder of the doctor at RG Kar Hospital on Monday.
Doctors take to streets
On Sunday evening, junior doctors took to the streets carrying torches. A group marched from Medical College Calcutta to Esplanade, with similar processions originating from NRS Medical College to Esplanade, from Calcutta National Medical College to the Seven Point of Park Circus, from Sagardutta Medical College to Dunlop, from RG Medical College to Shyambazar Five Point Crossing, and from KPC Medical College to Jadavpur 8B Bus Stand.
While marching from Medical College Calcutta to Esplanade, a junior doctor remarked, “There is a hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday. Before that, we have gathered for this program on Sunday. Common people are also on the road with us. We will continue this protest demanding security. We want speedy justice for the atrocities committed against our sister.”
After a meeting with the Chief Secretary at Nabanna on September 19, junior doctors announced a sit-in to be held in front of the Health Building the following Friday. However, they also stated that their agitation would persist until justice and security are guaranteed.
Junior doctors marched from Swasthya Bhavan to the CGO Complex, joined by many members of the public. They listened to the views of various societal groups at a public conference held last Friday.
Following the torchlight procession on Sunday, the protestors announced plans for a grand procession on Wednesday, the second day of Mahalaya, culminating in a mass meeting at Dharmatala at 1 pm on Mahalaya Day.
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