Kolkata doctor rape case: SC to hear rape case today; Junior doctors hold march and could resume protests stopping work

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case involving the alleged rape and murder of the doctoral student at RG Kar Hospital on Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, young doctors from various government hospitals in West Bengal along with community members took part in torch rallies across the city demanding justice for the murdered doctor from RG Kar Hospital and demanding improved security at their workplaces. PTI reported.

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In addition, the young doctors on Saturday expressed their intention to consider resuming complete “cessation of work” in medical colleges, subject to the state government’s assurances regarding their safety during the upcoming trial.

At Sagore Dutta Hospital, young doctors staged a torch and candle march in response to an attack by outsiders following the death of a patient on Friday evening.

“Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Dr. Shreya Shaw, a doctor at RG Kar College and Hospital, said ANI that their demands have been the same since the protest began.

“We have five demands that have not yet been met. We joined our duty because we thought our patients needed us, but meanwhile another similar incident happened at Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital. All our meetings with the CM and the government were in vain… All we want to say is no security, no duty. We keep an eye on every SC hearing and need to keep the pressure high. We trust that the CJI will deliver a verdict that will give us justice…We want justice as soon as possible because justice delayed is justice denied,” she said.

Participants carried candles and torches as they marched from Sagore Dutta Hospital to Dunlop Crossing on the outskirts of Kolkata. The protests were sparked by the alleged attack on three doctors and three nurses, which medics said highlighted the government’s failure to deliver on promised safeguards.

Also Read: Doctors in Kolkata can ‘stop work’ after Supreme Court hearing in RG Kar case on Monday.

After returning to work after a month-long strike, the young doctors said they could completely stop working in medical colleges again, depending on the state government’s assurances about their safety during the upcoming court case.

On September 17, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the findings of the rape and murder case set out in a status report by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), but chose not to disclose the details, saying that any release of information would violate the The case could jeopardize ongoing investigations.

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The court also sought a status report from the CBI on its probe into financial irregularities allegedly involving Sandip Ghosh, the jailed former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma visited the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Sunday afternoon to assess security measures ahead of the Supreme Court hearing. He contacted police personnel and visited the hospital emergency room.

This visit follows an August 15 incident in which a mob vandalized the emergency room. This incident came a day after the Calcutta High Court ordered transfer of the rape and murder investigation from the Calcutta Police to the CBI. The city police are currently investigating this incident.

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Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations related to a threat nexus in medical colleges, the Calcutta High Court on September 26 directed the state government to file an affidavit on the allegations made in a PIL.

The petitioners have reported several worrisome issues, including a culture of threats in government medical colleges and hospitals, sale of exam answer keys, bribery, corruption, and incidents of sexual harassment and abuse involving medical students and residents.

(With contributions from agencies)