The alleged rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate resident doctor in Kolkata has prompted the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to release a forceful statement demanding quick action. If the demands are not satisfied within 48 hours, the IMA has threatened to stage national protests.
The IMA expressed outrage at the trainee doctor’s death and denounced the circumstances that made it possible for such a horrific crime to occur on campus.
“The entire medical fraternity of India is shocked beyond words at this brutal murder,” the IMA said. “This crime is an index of the anarchy and insecurity prevailing on the campus.”
The body of the young doctor, a trainee in the department of chest medicine, was found in a semi-naked state in the seminar hall of R.G. Kar Medical College on Friday morning. The autopsy report pointed to the sexual assault of the medical student before being strangled and smothered to death.
The harrowing details of the injuries, which include bleeding from the eyes, mouth, and private parts, as well as multiple other injuries, have intensified the call for swift justice.
“There was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth, injuries over the face and nail. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts. She also has injuries in her belly, left leg… neck, in her right hand, ring finger and… lips,” the four-page report said.
The IMA outlined three key demands, including a thorough and unbiased investigation into the case, a comprehensive inquiry into the conditions that enabled this crime, and urgent implementation of measures to improve the safety and security of doctors, particularly women, in their workplaces.
The association has given the authorities a 48-hour ultimatum to arrest those responsible and address these demands. Failure to do so, the IMA warned, would result in nationwide protests, with the medical community prepared to take decisive action.
Police arrested one person for his alleged involvement in the sexual assault and murder of the trainee doctor. A city court on Saturday ordered a 14-day police remand for the accused, an outsider, charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the BNS.
CPI(M) protests in Kolkata
Meanwhile, the CPI(M) workers held a rally in Kolkata demanding justice in the murder case.
The city which we used to call ‘City of Joy’ has now become ‘City of Bhay’ (City of Fear). Here, even a doctor is not safe. The Principal (of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital) is close to CM Mamata Banerjee…The Police Commissioner of Kolkata was suppressing the case…We demand a judicial inquiry into this matter,” CPI(M) West Bengal secretary, Md Salim told ANI.
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