THE body of a young female postgraduate trainee doctor was found semi-nude and bleeding in a seminar hall at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital on August 9 around 11:30 am. The autopsy revealed she had been raped and murdered, with severe injuries across multiple body parts. This incident has triggered widespread outrage and protests across West Bengal, with public suspicion that political and administrative efforts are shielding the culprits and obscuring details of the crime.

The victim, a second-year trainee at RG Kar who had completed her MBBS at Kalyani Medical College, has left the medical community in shock. Initially misclassified as a suicide, the case was confirmed as rape and murder by the autopsy. The lack of transparency from police and hospital authorities has heightened public anger, prompting the State Commission for Women to take suo motu notice by the evening.

Dr Sandip Ghosh, the principal of the medical college, initially blamed the victim, suggesting it was irresponsible for her to be alone in the seminar hall at night and attempted to spread rumors about her mental state. These comments were quickly retracted amid growing protests. The victim's mother shared that their last conversation was on August 8th night before she ordered food with colleagues. She lamented, "She was my only daughter. I worked hard for her to become a doctor, and now she’s gone."

The brutal murder has raised serious concerns about the safety of medical staff, especially women. Junior and postgraduate doctors have gone on strike, accusing the hospital administration of negligence. Allegations of a cover-up, involving Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, have further fueled outrage. Dr Arif Ahmed Naskar of the Residential Doctors Association highlighted the victim's grueling 36-hour shift and demanded a thorough investigation, including a judicial magistrate-level inquiry, the presence of family members and a female postgraduate doctor during the autopsy, and video recording of the procedure. The doctors also called for a 'medico-legal autopsy' at RG Kar Hospital. Tensions remained high as the young doctor's body was withheld until these demands were met, leading to protests within the emergency department.

SFI and DYFI activists staged intense protests at the hospital, accusing the police of trying to secretly remove the body. DYFI state secretary Meenakshi Mukherjee condemned both the police and state government for alleged attempts to cover up the incident, demanding justice for the victim and an end to the mistreatment of medical staff. Mohammad Salim described the incident as unprecedented and shameful, highlighting the severe shortage of physicians in public hospitals that forces trainees into exhausting 36-hour shifts. He criticised the cover-up efforts and the suppression of young doctors' aspirations, denouncing the government's silence and manipulation of the investigation. Salim called for the immediate removal of RG Kar Hospital's principal, citing his history of influencing investigations and close ties to the chief minister. He urged for an independent inquiry with experts from other medical colleges, asserting that only a transparent investigation could reveal the truth behind the young doctor's tragic death.

‘OCCUPY THE NIGHT’

The next day, doctors, many RG Kar Medical College alumni, protested at the hospital gates, demanding a transparent investigation and justice for their colleague. Instead of receiving answers, they faced violent attacks from police and a Trinamool-backed mob, who barred them from entering the premises. This brutality further fueled public outrage and the demand for an independent inquiry. Initial reports and the post-mortem revealed the grim details of rape, murder, and multiple perpetrators. The police arrested a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, on August 17. However, the police commissioner’s initial attempt to conceal Roy's identity raised suspicions of a cover-up. Roy, a South Kolkata resident, was implicated in allegations of bribery, political manipulation, and corruption, deepening concerns about the investigation.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal's evasive actions and attempts to downplay the incident have deepened public mistrust. The tragic event at RG Kar Hospital has exposed the dark reality of the civic volunteers, a police auxiliary force tainted by criminal behavior and political manipulation. This untrained and reckless force is increasingly being used to suppress political opponents, as highlighted by the recent incident.

On August 17, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee pledged to seek the death penalty for the accused and promised an impartial investigation, even by the CBI if necessary. However, public trust remains low due to the brutal killing of the young doctor. Despite her assurances, skepticism persists over the state administration’s commitment to uncovering the truth. Questions persist: Why was the case initially classified as a suicide despite evidence of torture? Why did authorities delay acknowledging foul play? Why blame a single suspect before a thorough investigation? Why the frequent shifts in the police narrative? Are there behind-the-scenes influences or pressure to shield the guilty? The public demands concrete answers, not just reassurances. The repeated shifts in the police narrative and allegations of manipulation have fueled distrust. Reports of pressure on the victim’s family and the accused to influence the narrative have further eroded confidence. The High Court has intervened, dismissing the state police investigation and ordering a CBI inquiry.

Suspicion lingers that the trainee doctor was murdered to silence her from exposing misconduct at the hospital. Even high-ranking Trinamool Congress leaders have acknowledged deep-rooted issues at RG Kar Medical College. Many, including the victim's parents, suspect that blaming a single civic volunteer is a cover-up. The grim details of the crime – a drunken quasi-policeman brutally torturing the victim in her sleep – are alarming but seem to lack credibility.

Former Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Shantanu Sen has exposed a corruption scandal at RG Kar Medical College, accusing principal Sandip Ghosh of selling medical degrees and rigging exam results. According to Sen, exam results were manipulated, with students who complied receiving answer keys in advance. Sen claims his own daughter was affected by this malpractice. He has called for a CBI investigation and Ghosh's arrest. Adding to the controversy, veteran Trinamool MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has also demanded a CBI custodial interrogation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and the former principal regarding the recent rape and murder of the young doctor.

Outrage has swept across West Bengal, with a nightlong "occupy the night" protest launched by women on August 14. The powerful demonstrations, coinciding with India's 78th Independence Day, saw unprecedented numbers of women rallying under the banner "Occupy the Night, Justice for RG Kar." Mothers, daughters, and friends gathered at major intersections, demanding justice for the young doctor tragically murdered at her workplace. This incident, potentially the first rape and murder of a female doctor in independent India, has sparked a nationwide call for immediate action.

VANDALISM AT R G KAR

On the same night, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital became a battleground as Trinamool-backed miscreants, exploiting police inaction, pelted bricks and caused widespread destruction. The police, eventually intervening, targeted left-wing student and youth activists, deploying tear gas and turning the area into a war zone. In a surprising move, the police began searching for these activists, blaming them for the chaos. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with civil society and Durga Puja committees joining the protests. In response, Durga Puja committees are returning the state government’s Rs 85,000 grant in protest.

Amid escalating protests and Trinamool infighting, Mamata Banerjee's government has intensified police repression. Activists, including Meenakshi Mukherjee and SFI/DYFI leaders, have been questioned and arrested under the pretext of investigating unrest at RG Kar Hospital. The crackdown extends to social media, where dissenting voices face harassment. Prominent figures, including senior Trinamool leader Sukhendushekhar Roy and doctors Kunal Sarkar and Subarna Goswami, have been summoned by the police. In response to backlash, the health department reversed an abrupt transfer of 43 physicians to remote locations.

The government's fear of widespread protest was evident when August 18th’s Durand Cup match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was abruptly canceled due to concerns about law and order. Fans intended to protest from the stands, demanding justice for the RG Kar victim. Despite the cancellation, fans gathered outside Yuva Bharati Stadium, joined by supporters of Mohammedan Sporting. The canceled match became a symbol of both the government's apprehension and the people's determination.

On August 18, supporters from Kolkata's major football clubs gathered peacefully at Yuva Bharati Sports Stadium, waving flags of their teams. Suddenly, police arrived, using batons and making numerous arrests. Many were taken away in police vans, their jerseys symbolizing their resilience. Supporters remarked on the irony of the heavy police presence, noting it was greater than what’s usual for derby matches.

CITU and other trade unions have led massive protests, with widespread support from employee organisations, schools, artists, and musicians. This broad-based activism has created a powerful civil society movement demanding justice.

The Supreme Court's decision to place RG Kar Hospital under CISF protection highlights a loss of faith in state law enforcement. Amid growing protests, the police have finally filed an FIR against ex-principal Sandip Ghosh. Agitations by AIDWA, SFI, DYFI, and ongoing doctors' strikes keep West Bengal in turmoil over this brutal crime.