The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the alleged rape and murder of a junior woman doctor at Kolkata’s State-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
“Reportedly, the body of the deceased bore scratch marks, indicating that there was some struggle at the time of the incident. The family has reportedly alleged that the victim was raped and murdered,” said the statement by the NHRC.
“The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, West Bengal calling for a detailed report within two weeks,” a statement said.
The NHRC said it expects the report to include the status of the investigation, the action taken against persons responsible and the compensation paid to the next of kin of the deceased.
”The commission would also like to know about the steps taken/ proposed by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” the statement said.
The body of the woman postgraduate trainee, who was allegedly raped and murdered inside a seminar hall of the RG Kar hospital, was found on Friday morning. A civic volunteer was arrested in this connection on Saturday.
NCW visit
On August 12, a team of the National Commission for Women (NCW) arrived in Kolkata to assess the gravity of the situation.
The two-member team visited the victim’s family and the Kolkata Police’s headquarters at Lalbazar. It also went to the protest site at R.G. Kar Hospital and College.
In a post on X, the NCW said: “In response to the tragic incident involving the alleged sexual assault and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, the National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance and formed an inquiry committee. The committee, led by Ms. Delina Khongdup, Member, NCW will inquire about the circumstances, meet with all relevant parties, and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”
Published - August 13, 2024 02:17 pm IST
