Indrajit Das, CC BY-SA 4.0
On August 9, a woman doctor's body, identified as Dr. Moumita Debnath, was found under mysterious circumstances at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata. The Police on suspecting rape before murder, launched an investigation and the body was sent for post-mortem. Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal arrived to oversee the situation. Visible injuries were noted, and the body was sent for a post-mortem. The autopsy was video-recorded for transparency.
On August 10, police arrested Sanjoy Roy after reviewing CCTV footage from R G Kar Hospital. The post-mortem revealed injuries to her face, abdomen, lips, throat, and genitals. Sanjoy Roy was a civic volunteer and a regular hospital visitor. On visiting the victims' parents’ house, CM Mamata Banerjee consoled them and said that she had no objection to a Central Bureau of Investigation intervening.
On August 11, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal announced the launch of a helpline number by the Kolkata Police. Any complaints regarding any hospitals can be made by calling the toll-free number.
On August 12, Kolkata Police continued investigating the alleged rape and murder of a young junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They stated that the preliminary findings suggest that the crime was committed “in a spontaneous manner” and the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, who was a civic volunteer, was “intoxicated”. The police also said the murder and rape likely took place between 3 am and 6 am on Friday at the hospital.
On August 13, The Principal of RG Kar Medical College Dr.Sandeep Ghosh resigned. Meanwhile, doctors at AIIMS Delhi demanded immediate justice. Medical students at Kolkata National Medical College have clarified that they will not accept former R G Kar Principal Sandeep Ghosh if he takes on the role at their college. Sandeep Ghosh was appointed as the Principal of National Medical College. He resigned from RG Kar Medical College. Suhrita Pal takes over as Principal at RG Kar.
On August 14, Former RG Kar Medical College Principal, Dr.Sandeep Ghosh, requested a 15-day leave from higher authorities on Tuesday after the High Court Chief Justice's remarks. The High Court has ordered a CBI probe into the RG Kar rape and murder case, directing the transfer of all documents. CBI to focus on six key areas which are was the woman doctor raped by one man or many, was the accused, Sanjoy Roy, reportedly a civic police volunteer, alone or there were many people involved in it, was the evidence destroyed after the incident or not, why was the murder first reported as a suicide and by whom, was the hospital administration involved in the horrific crime, why were the cops only informed the morning after the doctor was murdered.
On August 15, thousands gathered on the streets of Kolkata with the slogan 'Reclaim The Night' to seek justice for the RG Kar victim. At midnight a sudden attack on RG Kar Hospital happened breaking through Police barricades and vandalism.. "The way the media has presented the RG Kar issue is incorrect. The CBI is investigating, let them prove it if they can" said Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal addressing the media at midnight. The emergency department of RG Kar Medical College Hospital was completely ransacked.
On August 16, Dr. Sandeep Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar was detained by CBI for questioning.
On August 17, The Calcutta High Court issued a strict directive stating that the photograph and personal details of the woman doctor who was brutally raped and murdered cannot be published, shared, or displayed on social media, protest banners, or any other public platform. To assure the public that action is being taken, the West Bengal government announced the "Rattirer Sathi" (night companion) project to ensure the safety of women in the hospital. The main objective of this is to provide a safe and secure environment for female doctors, nurses, and staff working night shifts. Alapan Bandyopadhyay Chief Advisor for CM Mamata Banerjee, in a press conference, said, “Police patrols will be deployed at medical colleges. Female doctors & nurses will not be allowed to work beyond 12 hours. Night duty will also be reduced.” West Bengal deployed women police, set up separate restrooms in hospitals, and launched emergency helplines (100/112).
On August 18, Kolkata Police imposed Section 163 BNSS 2023 (similar to Section 144 CrPC) around R G Kar Medical College for the next 7 (18 Aug-24 Aug) days or until further notice. Meanwhile, Dr. Sandeep Ghosh, the Principal of R G Kar Hospital is removed from the West Bengal Orthopedic Association (WBOA). He will no longer be allowed to use any WBOA banners. A heavy police presence at Salt Lake Stadium has turned the Bypass area into a clash zone between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan supporters. Police used batons to disperse and detain football fans protesting for "justice" over the R G Kar incident. The Durand Derby was cancelled due to security concerns. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the rape and murder of a woman doctor in RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was set to hear the matter on Tuesday, August 20.
On August 19, Kolkata Police identified 1,000 social media users for spreading rumors about the RG Kar case. Former RG Kar Medical College Principal Dr. Sandeep Ghosh faced intense scrutiny in connection with the ongoing investigation into the rape and murder case. The Central Bureau of Investigation has detained him and conducted over 37 hours of questioning across multiple sessions. The autopsy report revealed 16 external, and 9 internal injuries and death due to strangulation and smothering. The post-mortem in R G Kar rape-murder case rejects claims that "150 gm/mg of semen" was found in the victim's body. It noted that "white thick viscid fluid" was found in the body of the woman doctor, but doesn't mention what it was. According to the reports, there were several injuries on different body parts, including the head, cheeks, lips, nose, right jaw, chin, neck, left arm, left shoulder, left knee, ankle and inside genitalia. The report also noted haemorrhage in the lungs and blood clots in other parts of the body.
On August 20, The West Bengal government announced the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into alleged financial irregularities at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital from January 2021 during ex-RG Kar principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh’s tenure. The four-member special investigating team, headed by IGP Pranav Kumar, was asked to submit its report within a month of its constitution. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court sets up NTF (National Task Force) of doctors on hospital safety. The task force will look into the safety and well-being of medical professionals. The NTF will create an action plan under two heads. Firstly, preventing violence including gender based violence against medical professionals and secondly, providing an enforceable national protocol for dignified and safe working conditions for interns, residents and non-resident doctors.
Needless to say, the crime committed is horrific and brutal but a relief to the nation is that the Supreme Court has finally taken up the matter and is currently looking into it. The whole nation wants justice to be served as early as possible as “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied”.