The case involving the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata is getting more complicated. Following the violent protests and vandalism on Wednesday night, the case has become even more tangled. The CBI team has taken up the case and started the questioning process. On Thursday, the CBI questioned three batchmates of the deceased trainee doctor and also took the principal of RG Kar Medical College, Surhita Paul, to the CGO Complex for further interrogation. Amidst these important developments, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a nationwide strike. Earlier in the day, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) also announced a strike.
IMA Announces Strike
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has declared a nationwide strike on August 17. IMA will strike in response to the murder of a female doctor in Kolkata. The IMA demands that hospitals be declared safe zones and calls for the immediate implementation of the Central Protection Act. The IMA will also protest the violence that occurred at RG Kar Medical College on Wednesday night. From 6 AM on Saturday, 17.08.2024, to 6 AM on Sunday, 18.08.2024, all services will remain closed for 24 hours.
Source: aajtak
FORDA Re-announces Strike
Resident doctors at RG Kar Medical College have accused the hospital administration of tampering with evidence. They shared a video claiming vandalism in the seminar hall. FORDA had previously called for a strike that affected hospitals nationwide. However, the violence and vandalism at RG Kar Hospital on Wednesday night led FORDA to re-announce the strike. FORDA stated the government has failed to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. Both the central and state governments have failed to address this issue, which they strongly condemn.
Accusations Against the Government
The government has failed to give due respect to our commitments and service, a major failure. According to FORDA, considering the seriousness of recent events and the demand for justice, they have decided to immediately resume the strike. They are working with the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) and other stakeholders.
Read More: Who is Mamata Government Protecting in Kolkata Rape Case? Public Seeks Answers to These 6 Questions
CBI Questions Three Batchmates
The CBI questioned three batchmates of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Thursday concerning the rape and murder case. These batchmates were on duty the night the tragic incident occurred. According to sources, the CBI team spent hours questioning these doctors to get to the bottom of the case. This questioning occurred when new evidence and information related to the doctor's murder emerged.
Violence on Wednesday Night
On Thursday, before this, doctors held a protest in front of the administrative building of the hospital. They surrounded the building and did not let the principal and superintendent leave. The protesting doctors demanded clear answers from the officials regarding the violence and vandalism that occurred in the hospital early on Thursday morning.
Source: aajtak
Doctors in Fear
According to the police, a group of approximately 40-50 people stormed the hospital premises late Wednesday night under the guise of protests, causing extensive damage. The situation remains tense, and to control the violence, the police used tear gas and baton charges. This violent incident has created an atmosphere of fear and chaos in the hospital. This event occurred when a group of women, as part of the 'Reclaim the Night' campaign, took to the streets at midnight to protest the doctor's murder. They gathered on the hospital premises to express their outrage.
Read More: Rape, Assault, and Savagery... Now CBI to Solve the Murder Case of Trainee Doctor in Kolkata, These Questions Remain
CBI Questions Principal
After hours of lengthy questioning, the CBI team took the principal of RG Kar Medical College, Surhita Paul, to the CGO Complex for further interrogation. This action was taken to conduct an in-depth investigation into the case and gather more information from relevant individuals. The CBI team also met with the protesting students at the RG Kar Medical College. They assured the students that a fair and thorough investigation would be conducted to bring the culprits to justice.
This incident and the ensuing commotion have stirred upheaval in Kolkata's medical community, and all eyes are now on the CBI investigation. Doctors and students are demanding justice while the CBI is diligently working to resolve this case.
12 Accused Arrested So Far
On Thursday evening, three more accused were arrested in the vandalism case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. So far, the police have arrested 12 accused. All the arrested individuals were presented in court and were sent to police custody until August 22.
Doctors Outraged After Vandalism
The vandalism incident in the emergency ward of the medical college has left the doctors outraged. On Thursday, the doctors staged a protest outside the hospital. They surrounded the administrative building and prevented the principal and superintendent from leaving. The protesters demanded an explanation from the officials about the vandalism in the hospital. Additionally, the nurses at the hospital also staged a protest.
Source: aajtak
Crowd of 40-50 People Vandalized Hospital
Meanwhile, Kolkata police reported that 12 people have been arrested for the heinous act of assault and murder of a 31-year-old lady doctor. The police stated that a crowd of about 40-50 people invaded the hospital premises late Wednesday night under the guise of protests, causing property damage. To disperse the crowd, police used tear gas and baton charges.
Three Cases Filed at Kolkata's Police Stations
According to Kolkata police, three separate cases have been registered at three different police stations in Kolkata for the attack at RG Kar Hospital. The first case was registered at Ultadanga Police Station under BNS sections 191(2)/191(3)/190/189(5)/195/132/121(1)/109/324(5), PDPP Act section 3, and Public Order Maintenance Act section 9 and Arms Act section 25.
The second case was registered at Tala Police Station under BNS sections 191(2)/191(3)/190/189(5)/195/132/121(1)/109/324(5), PDPP Act section 3, along with the West Bengal Public Order Maintenance Act section 9, Arms Act section 25, West Bengal Medical Service Persons and Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act 2009 section 4.
The third case was registered at Shyampukur Police Station under BNS sections 191(1)/191(3)/190/121(1)/132/224/324(4)/285 and PDPP Act section 3. However, no complaint has been received from the hospital yet. So far, 12 accused have been arrested in the case. All the accused have been sent to judicial custody until August 22. Additionally, five more accused are now in police custody.
Read More: Patients' Beds Overturned, Medical Equipment Broken... Scenes from RG Kar Hospital After Midnight Mayhem
Significant Updates in the RG Kar Hospital Vandalism Case:
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Kolkata police have arrested 12 people in connection with the violence at RG Kar Hospital. Sources said police have also retrieved multiple CCTV footage, which is being thoroughly examined.
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The Indian Medical Association has accused officials of negligence. The IMA stated the mob attack was an attempt to target young medical students protesting the trainee doctor's murder.
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Kolkata police posted on X stating that the crime scene of the lady doctor's heinous murder was not tampered with during the violence. The police said the crime scene remained untouched. They warned of legal action against spreading rumors.
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The CBI team investigating the doctor's murder case visited the victim's home on Thursday. The agency also inspected the hospital. The CBI team visited the Chest Medicine Department on the fourth floor, where the seminar hall is located, to check if it was safe from vandalism that occurred last night.
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On Thursday morning, hospital nurses protested against the vandalism. One nurse stated the crowd wanted to enter the seminar room where the crime occurred. She also accused two policemen of asking nurses to hide them during the mob's rampage.
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A war of words erupted between BJP and the ruling TMC following this incident. The BJP demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Meanwhile, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee stated that the hooliganism and vandalism at RG Kar have crossed all limits. He directed Kolkata police to identify and punish the culprits within 24 hours.
Source: aajtak
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In the late-night hospital attack, the mob vandalized the emergency ward and a portion of the Outpatient Department (OPD) with sticks. The police outpost at the hospital also faced vandalism, and vehicles were damaged. Police dispersed the mob using baton charges and tear gas. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal stated that the 'malicious' campaign by the media worsened the situation.
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The victim's father said they would not accept money in exchange for her life as it would deeply sadden her. The father stated that CBI officers came today, took their statements, and collected all evidence. They support the protests and movements happening across the country and abroad about this incident. They consider everyone their sons and daughters. Regarding the hospital attack, he said it was a matter for the administration to handle. Commenting on it is not appropriate. This is a judicial matter. He mentioned that the CBI assured them of strict punishment for the culprits as soon as possible.
Read More: Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: 'Our Dreams Shattered in One Night,' Says Victim's Father, Reveals What Daughter Wrote in Her Diary
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The West Bengal Raj Bhavan stated that after receiving reports of alleged vandalism and violence at RG Kar Medical College last night, Governor CV Ananda Bose visited the premises and interacted with students, teaching and non-teaching staff, sub-principal, and the principal. Doctors and nurses shared their plight with the governor and talked about threats from the unruly mob. They alleged police failed to provide security to the medical students as the uncontrolled mob wreaked havoc. There is unrestricted entry of outsiders on campus. Female doctors received 'rape' threats from the violent mob. Hospital entry and exit controls are lacking. Fears of tampering with areas around the crime scene exist.
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The governor asked the state government for details about steps taken to restore law and order at RG Kar Medical College and ensure the security of doctors, nurses, paramedics, teaching and non-teaching staff.
