The case of rape and subsequent murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital is gaining momentum. The case has become more complicated after the violent protests and vandalism that took place on Wednesday night. CBI team has gathered to solve this case of Kolkata and the process of interrogation has also started. On Thursday, while the CBI interrogated three batchmates of the deceased trainee doctor, the team also took RG Kar Medical College Principal Surhita Paul to the CGO Complex for further questioning. On the other hand, amidst these big developments, IMA has announced a nationwide strike. Earlier in the day, FORDA (Federation of Resident Doctors Association) has also announced a strike.
IMA announced strike
Indian Medical Association has announced a nationwide strike on 17th August. IMA will go on strike over the murder of a female doctor in Kolkata. Along with declaring hospitals as safe zones, IMA has demanded the government to immediately implement the Central Protection Act. IMA will also protest against the violence that took place last night at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata. All services will remain closed for 24 hours from 6 am on Saturday 17.08.2024 to 6 am on Sunday 18.08.2024.
FORDA again announced strike
Resident doctors of RG Kar Medical College have alleged that the hospital administration is tampering with the evidence. He shared the video and said – The seminar hall has been vandalized. Let us tell you that even before this FORDA (Federation of Resident Doctors Association) had called a strike, the effect of which was visible in hospitals across the country, but due to the violence and vandalism that took place in RGKar Hospital on Wednesday night, FORDA has decided to go on strike again. FORDA has said that the government is not able to ensure the safety of health workers during work. Both the central and state governments have failed in this matter, which we strongly condemn.
Made these allegations against the government
The government is not able to give due respect to our commitments and service, this is its big failure. FORDA said that, considering the seriousness of the recent developments and the demand for justice, we have decided to resume the strike with immediate effect. For this we are working with the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) and other stakeholders.
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CBI interrogate all three batchmates of deceased trainee doctor
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday interrogated three batchmates in the case of rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. These are the same batchmates who were on duty that night when this tragic incident happened. According to sources, the CBI team interrogated these doctors for several hours so that they could get to the bottom of the matter. This inquiry was conducted when new evidence and information came to light as part of the investigation related to the doctor’s murder.
Demolition took place on Wednesday night
Earlier on Thursday, doctors at the hospital protested in front of the administrative building. They surrounded the building and did not allow the principal and superintendent to go out. The protesting doctors demanded a clear answer from the authorities on the vandalism and violence that took place in the hospital early Thursday.
Panic among doctors
According to the police, under the guise of protest, a group of about 40-50 people entered the hospital premises late on Wednesday night and vandalized it. Due to this the situation remains tense. To control the violence, the police released tear gas and lathicharged. This violent incident has created an atmosphere of fear and chaos in the hospital. The incident took place when a group of women took to the streets at midnight as part of the ‘Reclaim the Night’ campaign to protest against the doctor’s murder. They gathered in the hospital premises and demonstrated their anger.
Also read: Rape, assault and brutality… Now CBI will solve the case of murder of trainee doctor in Kolkata, these questions are in front
CBI interrogated the principal
After hours of long interrogation, the CBI team took Suritha Paul, Principal of RG Kar Medical College, to CGO Complex for further questioning. This action was taken to investigate the matter in depth and to obtain more information from the persons concerned. The Central Investigation Agency team reached RG Kar Medical College and also met the protesting students. He assured the students that this matter will be investigated impartially and thoroughly, so that the culprits can be brought to justice.
The incident and the subsequent uproar have created a stir in the medical community of Kolkata, and all eyes are now on the CBI investigation. Doctors and students are demanding justice, while CBI is busy solving this case.
12 accused have been arrested so far
Three more accused have been arrested on Thursday evening in the case of vandalism in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, hence the police have arrested 12 accused so far. All those arrested were produced in the court and sent to police custody till 22 August.
Angst among doctors after the vandalism incident
There is anger among the doctors after the incident of vandalism in the emergency ward of the medical college. On Thursday, the doctors protested outside the hospital. Doctors surrounded the administrative building. Also the principal and superintendent were not allowed to leave the building. The protesters sought clarification from the authorities regarding the vandalism at the hospital. Apart from this, the nurses of the hospital also protested.
A mob of 40-50 people vandalized the hospital
At the same time, Kolkata Police said that 12 people have been arrested in the case of brutality and murder of a 31-year-old lady doctor. Police said that under the guise of a protest, a mob of about 40-50 people stormed the hospital premises late on Wednesday night and damaged property. Policemen fired tear gas shells and resorted to lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
Case registered in three police stations of Kolkata
According to Kolkata Police, three separate cases have been registered in three different police stations of Kolkata in connection with the attack on RG Kar Hospital. First case under Section 191(2)/191(3)/190/189(5)/195/132/121(1)/109/324(5) of BNS, Section 3 of PDPP Act and Public Order at Ultadanga Police Station. It has been registered under Section 9 of the Arms Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act.
Second case registered at Tala Police Station under Section 191(2)/191(3)/190/189(5)/195/132/121(1)/109/324(5) of BNS, Section 3 of PDPP Act. Also, a case has been registered under Section 9 of the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Act, Section 25 of the Arms Act, Section 4 of the West Bengal Medical Service Persons and Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act 2009.
The third case was registered at Shyampukur Police Station under Section 191(1)/191(3)/190/121(1)/132/224/324(4)/285 of BNS and Section 3 of PDPP Act. However, no complaint has been received from the hospital yet. So far 12 accused have been arrested in this case, all the accused have been sent to judicial custody till August 22. Five more accused have been detained.
Also read: Beds of patients overturned, medical equipment broken… this was the scene of Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital after the midnight disturbance.
Big updates of RG Kar Hospital vandalism case
1- Kolkata Police has arrested 12 people in connection with the violence at RG Kar Hospital. Sources said that the police have also recovered several CCTV footages and they are being thoroughly investigated.
2- The Indian Medical Association has accused the officials of negligence. The IMA said the mob attack was an attempt to target young medical students protesting against the murder of a trainee doctor.
3- Kolkata Police said in a post on X that the crime scene of the brutality and murder of the lady doctor was not disturbed during the violence. Police said the crime scene was untouched. We will initiate legal action against spreading rumours.
4- The CBI team investigating the doctor’s murder reached the victim’s house on Thursday. The agency also visited the hospital. During this time, the CBI team went to the fourth floor of the Chest Medicine Department to investigate whether the seminar hall where the junior doctor was murdered was safe from the vandalism that happened last night.
5- On Thursday morning, the nurses of the hospital protested against the demolition. A nurse said that the mob wanted to enter the seminar room where the crime took place. She also alleged that two policemen asked the nurses to hide them during the mob disturbance.
6- After this incident, a war of words has started between BJP and the ruling TMC. BJP has demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Meanwhile, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee said that hooliganism and sabotage in RG tax has crossed all limits. Kolkata Police has been asked to identify the culprits and punish them within 24 hours.
7- In the late night attack on the hospital, a mob wielding sticks vandalized a part of the emergency ward and out-patient department (OPD). The police post at the hospital was also vandalized and vehicles were also damaged. The police resorted to lathi charge and also fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal said the ‘malicious’ campaign run by the media had worsened the situation.
8- The victim’s father said that she would be very sad if we took money in exchange for her life. The father of the deceased said that CBI officials came today and took all the evidence including our statement. We are in favor of the protests and movements taking place in the entire country as well as abroad regarding this incident. We consider everyone as our sons and daughters. Regarding the attack on the hospital, he said that it is a matter of administration. The administration will understand this. It is not appropriate for me to comment on this. This is a judicial matter. He said that CBI has assured that the accused will be given strict punishment. This will be done as soon as possible.
Also read: Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: ‘Our dream was shattered in one night’, father told what was written in his daughter’s diary
9- Bengal Raj Bhavan said that after receiving information about alleged vandalism and violence at RG Kar Medical College last night, Governor CV Anand Bose visited the campus and met the students, teaching, non-teaching staff, vice-principal and principal. Talked to. The doctors and nurses explained their plight to the Governor and the threats they received from the angry mob. He told Governor CV Anand Bose that the police failed to provide security to the medical college students as the unruly mob created a ruckus. There is unrestricted entry of outsiders into the campus. Women doctors were threatened with ‘rape’ by the violent mob. The administration has failed to ensure a complete secure arrangement and keep the premises clean from outsiders. Entry and exit into the hospital is uncontrolled and unbridled. It is suspected that there has been tampering in the areas surrounding the crime scene.
10- The Governor has sought information from the state government about the steps taken to restore law and order in the RG Kar Medical College and ensure the safety of doctors, nurses, paramedics, teaching and non-teaching staff there.