PG medico rape-murder at RG Kar Medical College: IMA issues 48-hour ultimatum, threatens nationwide protest

New Delhi: Amid the nationwide rage over the shocking rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate respiratory medicine medico at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued an ultimatum to the authorities, calling for prompt action and indicated that nationwide protests will take place if their demands are not addressed within a 48-hour timeframe. 

Medical Dialogues team had reported the shocking incident where the lady doctor, pursuing PG Respiratory Medicine, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the seminar hall of the city-based R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. Her body was found in half-naked condition with several injury marks, raising suspicions of brutal rape and murder.

The inquest report prepared by the police recorded bleeding from both the eyes and her mouth, injury on the face and nails, bleeding from her genitals, and several other injury marks in different parts of the body. Reportedly, the doctor was on duty and after completing her 36-hour shift, she went to study in the seminar hall, from where her body was recovered in the morning by the hospital staff. Following this, the medical fraternity across the nation organised protests and took to the streets demanding justice for the lady doctor.  

Expressing deep shock over the incident, the association urged the authorities to take decisive action within 48 hours demanding a fair, transparent and time-sensitive criminal investigation in this case. It issued an ultimatum of two days to arrest the culprits, or the association claimed it would take nationwide protest.  

Also read- Black Day for Indian Medical Fraternity: Doctors Take to Streets to Demand Justice for Colleague's Rape and Murder

A press release issued in this regard on Saturday stated, "The entire medical fraternity of India is shocked beyond words at the brutal murder of the 2nd year PG student of RG Kar Medical College Kolkata. This heinous crime has been committed inside the seminar hall on the 3rd floor of the campus. There are reasons to believe that she was raped before the murder. This crime is an index of the anarchy and insecurity prevailing on the campus.

IMA HQ mourns the death of this precious daughter of India and condemns the existing situations that enabled this crime to be committed with impunity inside the campus. If safety and security cannot be ensured in the citadels of learning it only indicates the incompetency of the administration. The entire medical fraternity of India stands with the bereaved family and her colleagues."

Their demands include an impartial thorough investigation of the case and punishment of the culprits, a detailed enquiry into the conditions enabling the crime and urgent steps to improve the safety of doctors especially women in the workplace. 

Recalling other incidents of doctor murder, IMA said, "Not long ago another young resident woman doctor was stabbed to death in the casualty of a Taluk Hospital in Kerala. Increasing evidence of the toxic environment prevailing in workplaces of doctors is highly disturbing. Doctors especially women are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession. It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses."

Further IMA added, "We demand that the authorities act with precision and in time of 48 hours Failing which IMA will be constrained to initiate nationwide action. A fair, transparent and time-sensitive criminal investigation is in order. An ultimatum of two days is given to arrest culprits otherwise IMA will take Nationwide Protests."

Also read- Kolkata Shocker: PG Chest Medicine student at RG Kar Hospital Found Dead, Doctors seek CBI investigation