A 31-year-old female Kolkata Trainee doctor was brutally assaulted and murdered at RG Kar Medical College on the night of 8th-9th August. The incident has sent shockwaves across the nation, with widespread outrage and calls for justice. Here’s a detailed timeline of what transpired and the key developments in the case.
- The victim, a 31-year-old doctor, was on duty at RG Kar Medical College on the night of 8th August. After finishing her duties, she had dinner with her juniors at around 2 AM and then retired to the seminar room to sleep, as there were no designated rest areas for doctors on duty.
- Tragedy struck the next morning when Assistant Superintendent called the doctor’s family, informing them that their daughter had allegedly died by suicide. Upon reaching the hospital, the family was forced to wait outside for three agonizing hours before they were finally allowed to see the body.
- When the family was finally allowed to see the body, they were met with a horrifying sight. The body was uncovered, and the victim’s legs were at a right angle, suggesting severe trauma to her pelvic girdle. Disturbingly, her body was not found in the seminar room where she had gone to sleep but was instead discovered in a nearby room undergoing construction.
- Her eyes were bleeding due to shattered glass from her spectacles, which had penetrated her eyes. Her lips were injured, and there were clear signs of a violent struggle.Her death occurred between 3-5 AM on 9th August, pointing to a brutal sexual assault.
- CCTV footage led investigators to a prime suspect, Sanjay Roy, a Civic Assistant at the hospital. Roy has since been arrested and is in police custody until 23rd August. He has reportedly confessed to the crime, but he remains the only arrest made so far.
- The victim’s parents have expressed deep distrust in the State Police, fearing that the investigation will be compromised. They met with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on 12th August, who also serves as the state’s Home & Health Minister. Banerjee initially ordered the state police to conclude the investigation by 18th August. However, on 13th August, the High Court intervened, ordering a CBI probe into the case.
- In a disturbing development on the night of 15th August, a mob of around 7,000 people descended upon RG Kar Medical College, allegedly to destroy evidence related to the case. The police were either unable or unwilling to stop the mob, raising serious questions about the role of the State Police in this case.
- The West Bengal High Court has harshly criticized Mamata Banerjee and the State Police for their handling of the situation. The court noted that it was “hard to believe the police didn’t know” about the mob’s actions, especially with Section 144 in place. The court further called it an “absolute failure of state machinery” and questioned how doctors could continue working fearlessly under such circumstances. So far, 19 people from the mob have been arrested.
- As the political fallout from the incident intensifies, Mamata Banerjee has announced a rally today, calling for speedy trials and giving the CBI an ultimatum to complete the investigation by 18th August. Meanwhile, her political allies, including CPM and the Leftist Socialist Unity Centre of India, are demanding her resignation.
- In response to the horrific crime, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a 24-hour nationwide strike, with doctors of modern medicine across India withdrawing their services. The protest began at 6 AM on 17th August and will conclude at 6 AM on 18th August.