PG Medico Murder at RG Kar Medical College: Doctors announce nationwide protest

New Delhi: As doctors across the country have come out on the streets demanding justice for the PG medico who was brutally raped and murdered in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College, police have come out with the arrest of the prime suspect, Sanjay Roy.

The arrest followed the discovery of a crucial piece of evidence—a Bluetooth device left at the crime scene. This small but vital clue played a pivotal role in leading investigators to Roy. Detailed forensic analysis linked the device to Roy, who had been observed in CCTV footage near the seminar hall around the time of the crime. Roy was arrested on Saturday and was sent to 14-day police custody. He confessed to the crime

As per sources, Sanjay Roy was a civic volunteer. Though officially termed as civic volunteers, many still refer to them as “civic police”, which was originally created in Bengal to assist the police and also a part of a powerful police welfare board. Since he was a civic volunteer, Roy had an easy access in the hospital. He was seen entering the hospital at around 4 am and leaving leaving the premises early on Friday morning. 

The accused was charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of BNS and was produced before Sealdah court, which remanded him to police custody till August 23.

The victim, a 31-year-old doctor, was found deceased in a seminar hall at the hospital on Friday morning. The initial autopsy of the post-graduate trainee doctor indicated that she was murdered after being sexually assaulted. There was bleeding from the woman's private parts, said the report. There were injuries to other parts of the body as well

"This is definitely not a case of suicide; the woman was murdered following sexual assault," a police officer told news agency PTI.

Meanwhile, In response to the incident, junior doctors and students at various state-run hospitals, including RG Kar Medical College, National Medical College, and Medical College, Kolkata, held protest sit-ins and processions. Similar protests also took place at district hospitals such as Bardhaman Medical College and Bankura Sammilani Medical College. Protests and pen-down strikes are being continued in various parts of the country

Maintaining that protests and processions by junior doctors demanding exemplary punishment for the accused and enhanced security at hospitals were justified, the Chief Minister of the state urged the doctors to also carry on giving healthcare services to patients.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced to seek a death penalty for the perpetrator. Her announcement came shortly after the accused, who was reportedly an outsider frequenting the hospital premises, was arrested and later remanded to 14-day police custody.

RG Kar Medical College MS Removed

The West Bengal health department has ordered the removal of Dr. Sanjay Vashisth from his position as medical superintendent-cum-vice principal. Dr. Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, the dean of student affairs, has been appointed to take over Vashisth's responsibilities. Dr. Vashisth has been reassigned as a professor at the National Medical College & Hospital.

Nationwide Shutdown on Monday

Sunday saw a continued protest from doctors from all medical colleges in West Bengal. Protesters at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata raised safety concerns, citing the absence of CCTV in sensitive areas, tout rackets, inadequate restrooms for on-call doctors, and poor screening of outsiders. 

Meanwhile, resident doctors associations ( RDA) and medical associations across the country are coming in support of Kolkata Doctors. The RDAs of several major hospitals, including VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, UCMS & GTBH, and ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital, have issued statements expressing their outrage and demanding justice. These associations have collectively decided to halt all elective services, including OPDs, elective OTs, and ward duties, while ensuring that emergency services remain operational.

Doctors are demanding Immediate and Impartial Investigation, Enhanced Security for Healthcare Workers, No Police Brutality or Mistreatment of protesting doctors, stating the nationwide strike will continue until these demands are met