Today, On 10th September, Despite a Supreme Court directive, protesting resident doctors have continued their strike in response to the Kolkata rape-murder case. On Monday, the Supreme Court instructed the doctors to return to work by 5 pm on Tuesday, assuring that no punitive actions would be taken against them upon resuming their duties. However, the protest persisted, defying the court’s order and drawing attention to the doctors’ grievances over the incident.
New Delhi: Junior doctors defied the Supreme Court’s order to resume duties by 5 pm on Tuesday, stating they will continue their ‘cease work’ protest until their demands are met and justice is served for the rape and murder victim from RG Kar Hospital.
The Supreme Court directed the protesting doctors to return to work, assuring that no adverse action, including punitive transfers, would be taken against them upon resumption, as confirmed by the West Bengal government.
One of the protesting doctors said,
“We will continue the cease work as our demands are not fulfilled. We requested the removal of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the health secretary, the director of health services, and the director of medical education by 5 PM. We are open to discussion.”
The protest began on August 9, following the discovery of the body of a female post-graduate trainee in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The Kolkata rape-murder case, involving the brutal assault and killing of a 32-year-old trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College in August 2024, triggered nationwide outrage and protests. The victim was found dead in a hospital seminar room, sparking immediate suspicion of foul play. The post-mortem confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted and suffered grievous injuries. Investigators suspect gang rape, as the autopsy revealed a significant amount of semen and evidence of multiple perpetrators involved.
The accused, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, arrested and charged with rape and murder. The investigation also expanded to include potential involvement of others, with a focus on hospital staff, given delays and mishandling of initial reports. Protests by junior doctors escalated as they demanded a thorough and fair investigation, accusing authorities of negligence and suppression of evidence. The case has since been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following public and legal pressure.
This tragic incident has fuelled widespread protests, particularly among the medical community, leading to strikes in hospitals across India. It has also prompted calls for stricter laws to protect healthcare workers and improve safety measures at medical facilities.