RG Kar Case: 2 Govt doctors summoned by police over protest rally

Kolkata: In connection with a protest rally held on October 8 demanding justice for the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 last year, two senior government doctors who participated in the demonstration have received summons from the police.

The doctors-Dr Manas Gumta and Dr Subarna Goswami, are posted in Bankura and Darjeeling districts, respectively. Dr Goswami has been directed to appear at the Bowbazar police station on September 2, while Dr Gumta has been asked to appear on September 3.

Both doctors were prominent voices in the agitation that followed the tragic incident on August 9. They also participated in the rally that started from Bowbazar to Esplanade, which saw participation from private practitioners as well as doctors from government hospitals.

Also read- RG Kar Protest: 4 senior doctors accused of disrupting West Bengal Medical Council's operations

According to the notice issued to the doctors on Tuesday, the police stated that if the doctors fail to comply with the instructions, then legal action under Section 208 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which can be simple imprisonment for up to one month or a fine of up to ₹5,000 or both, will be imposed on both of them.

The doctors have been charged with sections 3 (5) (joint liability for criminal acts committed by multiple individuals with a common intention), 285 (posing danger or obstruction on public road) and 126 (2) (wrongfully restraining or obstructing people’s movement) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

A Kolkata police official, on condition of anonymity, said, “The notices have been sent under Section 179 of BNSS, which empowers police to summon and question a person acquainted with a case."

Responding to the summons, Dr Goswami told HT, “This is the first time that I have been summoned in this case. Although the section under which the notice was sent implies that I have been called as a witness, it is obvious that this is vindictive politics. People have the constitutional right to hold peaceful protests. In a state where ministers skip summons sent by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED), the government expects us to respond to police summons. However, as law-abiding citizens, we will go."

Similarly, Dr Gumta said, “The investigating officer did not give me any details when he called me up on Monday night. He only said he wants to know about the rally. It was held by private practitioners from Bowbazar to Esplanade. The police have not contacted us in connection with that complaint till now."

Medical Dialogues had reported that just days before the West Bengal Junior Doctors' Front (WBJDF) was set to hold protests on August 8 and 9, the Kolkata Police issued fresh notices to several junior doctors and medical students, asking them to appear for questioning in connection with last year's agitation. According to the association, at least six medical professionals who had participated in last year’s protest held in response to the alleged rape and murder of a PG medico at RG Kar Medical College have received official notices from Kolkata Police.

Also read- Junior doctors, medical students summoned by police ahead of RG Kar Anniversary Protest