Kolkata doctor rape-murder case highlights: CBI to conduct psychological assessment of accused

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday over the alleged rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata and alleged that the police, in collaboration with “TMC goons”, conspired to destroy evidence related to the case.

The minister also accused the West Bengal government of mishandling the case.

Condemning the state government for organising a protest march against its own failures, she called it a sham and highlighted the lack of action against criminals and rapists.

Her comments came in the backdrop of the alleged rape and murder of a medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and the subsequent vandalism at the facility.

-PTI

The West Bengal government on Saturday announced a slew of measures to ensure the safety of women in workplaces, particularly at state-run hospitals, where they have to work on night shifts, too, including designated retiring rooms and CCTV-monitored ‘safe zones’.

Chief Advisor to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Alapan Bandyopadhyay, announced the measures during a press meet here, amid continuing protests by doctors across the state against the alleged rape and murder of a medic at RG Kar hospital.

Apart from hospitals and medical colleges, hostels and other places engaging women during night shifts will now come under the ambit of a flagship programme ‘Rattirer Sathi – Helpers of the Night’, comprising volunteers, he said.

The state government has also decided to develop a mobile app with alarm devices, which can be downloaded by women and used for communication with the respective local police stations in case of any emergency.

Besides, employees, both in state and private establishments, will be encouraged to form two-member women teams at night to keep each other updated about their activities, Bandyopadhyay said.

-PTI

“I don’t want to be the next victim”, read placards carried by several women medics who were part of a march here on Saturday to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata last week. Hundreds of medics, including doctors and resident doctors, wearing stethoscopes over their white aprons, started their march from the Lady Hardinge Medical College on the sixth day of their agitation over the incident and to press for their demands such as a central law to check violence against healthcare personnel.

On reaching Connaught Place, they held an around 25-minute sit-in, before police removed barricades and allowed them to proceed to the Jantar Mantar for the next phase of their demonstration -- a candle light march.

Non-emergency services, such as OPD and diagnostics, and elective surgeries at city-based health facilities, including at Centre-run AIIMS, Safdarjung hospital and RML hospital, are hit since Monday.

-PTI

Eight days after the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital there were no let up in protests on Saturday (August 17, 2024) over the horrifying crime and the vandalism at the hospital with doctors continuing with their strike and political parties in the Opposition as well as citizens hitting the streets in the street.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the crime, visited the fourth battalion barrack of Kolkata Police where the accused Sanjoy Roy was residing on the day of the crime. Roy, a civil police volunteer, was arrested by the Kolkata police within 12 hours after the incident on August 9. The CBI also visited the residence of family of the accused in Kolkata’s Bhawanipore area. A team of experts from Central Forensic Science Laboratory had visited Kolkata and will conduct psychological evaluation of the accused. The CBI also interrogated former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Sandip Kumar Ghosh for the second consecutive day.

Amid protests against the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, BJP leader and chief organiser of crowd-puller Santosh Mitra Square Puja Committee, Sajal Ghosh on Saturday called upon all Durga Puja committees across West Bengal to decline the state government’s Rs 85,000 honorarium as a mark of protest against “failure to ensure women safety”.

Ghosh, who has been organising the puja for several years in north Kolkata showcasing various themes drawing lakhs of revellers, told PTI, “Women are being violated, raped, killed in public places, in workplaces and at homes under the regime of Mamata Banerjee who has failed to ensure their safety. When faced with mounting public anger, she is blaming everyone but herself for the situation.”

“A young woman medic was allegedly raped and murdered in the most savage manner while she was on duty in her own hospital but only one person has been arrested so far. It will be a paradox if under the prevailing circumstances, the puja committees accept the Rs 85,000 dole from this government which has shown a lack of concern for the issue,” the BJP councillor said.

-PTI

The CBI will conduct a psychological assessment of Sanjay Roy, the accused in a rape-and-murder case of a doctor in Kolkata that has triggered nationwide protests, officials said on Saturday.

A team of psychological and behavioural analysts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Delhi has arrived in Kolkata to conduct the necessary tests, they said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already taken Roy into custody.

The federal agency questioned Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the incident took place, for a second consecutive day on Saturday in connection with the alleged rape and killing of the trainee doctor.

-PTI

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday said the vandalism at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was an attempt to “cover up the truth”, and called for ensuring justice to the woman trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at the health facility last week.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused opposition CPI(M) and BJP in the state of orchestrating vandalism at the hospital and attempting to obscure the truth behind the rape and murder of the trainee doctor by spreading fake news on social media.

In a post on X, Yechury said, “This vandalism on doctors protesting against the horrific rape and murder of a fellow doctor in RG Kar Medical College is a disgraceful attempt to silence justice and cover up the truth”.

“We must stand together against such barbarism and ensure that justice is delivered,” he said.

-PTI

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday demanded justice for the trainee doctor raped and murdered at a government hospital in Kolkata while stating that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has become “nirmam” (ruthless) and “jungle raj” prevailed in her state.

Talking to reporters, Chouhan said the incident was a blot on the face of civilised India.

“The chief minister of that state (West Bengal) should be ashamed that such an incident happened, and those who were protesting against it were attacked for the protest,” he said, demanding justice for doctors.

“Mamataji has become ‘nirmam’ (ruthless) in West Bengal. There is jungle raj. The situation should change. The victim should get justice, and the accused should be punished,” he said.

-PTI

The government on Saturday said a committee will be formed to propose safety measures for healthcare professionals even as OPD services were hit across the country as doctors joined the 24-hour nationwide strike called by the IMA to protest the alleged rape and murder of a trainee medic in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, doctors in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Mizoram, and Nagaland among other states joined the 24-hour strike called by the IMA.

In the national capital, major private hospitals shut down their OPDs, elective surgeries and IPD services.

Resident doctors in the capital have been on an indefinite strike since Monday. As the strike entered its sixth day on Saturday, private hospitals also joined the protest alongside government hospitals.

Hospitals like Sir Ganga Ram, Fortis and Apollo have halted their OPD, elective surgeries and IPD services.

-PTI

Doctors of private hospitals in Gurugram went on a strike on Saturday in protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s Medical College and Hospital.

At the call of the Indian Medical Association-Gurugram, doctors suspended OPD and operation theatre services, an IMA official said.

Doctors, along with the members of the Lions’ Club and other bodies, gathered at John Hall in the morning from where they took to the street, demanding justice for the medic.

IMA’s District President Dr Ajay Sharma said that the medics will be on strike till 6 pm Sunday and only emergency services will be operational.

-PTI

Doctors across Assam on Saturday joined the nationwide protest against the alleged rape and murder of a medic in a Kolkata hospital, demanding exemplary punishment for the culprits, a central law to ensure safety of medical professionals and better security infrastructure at their workplaces and public areas.

Outpatient departments and non-essential services came to a near halt in all hospitals during the day as doctors assembled on the premises, wearing black badges and displaying placards to press for their demands.

The outpatient department (OPD) at the GMCH was managed by senior doctors to ensure minimum inconvenience to patients who come from all over the state for advanced treatment.

Doctors at Dibrugarh’s Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) maintained that the protest was also a manifestation of the lack of security faced by people from all walks of life.

-PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday (August 17, 2024) reiterated its demand for the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing the Trinamool Congress government of harassing those seeking justice for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, and attempting to protect the perpetrators.

At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the “dictatorial” Trinamool government has engaged in blame game and “ dharna drama” and has tried to give a communal angle through its “Ram-Bam” remark (ostensibly referring to the BJP and the Left). “Against whom the dharna is being done by the TMC government? Is it against the State Home Minister, the Health Minister? Both the portfolios are with Ms. Banerjee,” he said.

Doctors including private medical practitioners took part in protests in Telangana on Saturday as part of the nationwide protest call given by the Indian Medical Association against the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

As part of the protests, major hospitals in the private sector stopped outpatient services and elective surgeries while outpatient services were suspended in government hospitals in Telangana.

During the protests, rallies were taken out, demonstrations were held at several places in the state condemning the brutal rape and murder of the woman doctor.

Doctors, medical students, medical staff were among those who participated in protests at different places even as junior doctors protests continued in Telangana today.

They raised slogans “we want justice”, “No safety no duty” and demanded justice to the deceased doctor in Kolkata and implementation of a ‘Central Protection Act’ to ensure the safety of all healthcare personnel, including doctors and paramedical staff.

-PTI

With each passing day, a doctors’ strike over the alleged rape and killing of one of their colleagues in a Kolkata hospital is gaining momentum as major private hospitals in Delhi joined the protest on Saturday, shutting down their OPDs, elective surgeries and IPD services.

Resident doctors in the capital have been on an indefinite strike since Monday. As the strike entered its sixth day on Saturday, private hospitals also joined the protest alongside government hospitals.

Hospitals like Sir Ganga Ram, Fortis and Apollo have halted their OPD, elective surgeries and IPD services.

With each passing day, a doctors’ strike over the alleged rape and killing of one of their colleagues in a Kolkata hospital is gaining momentum as major private hospitals in Delhi joined the protest on Saturday, shutting down their OPDs, elective surgeries and IPD services.

Resident doctors in the capital have been on an indefinite strike since Monday. As the strike entered its sixth day on Saturday, private hospitals also joined the protest alongside government hospitals.

Hospitals like Sir Ganga Ram, Fortis and Apollo have halted their OPD, elective surgeries and IPD services.

-PTI

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday condemned the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, while appealing to protesting medics to return to work for the sake of the patients.

Healthcare services were affected in Jharkhand during the day, as doctors joined the Indian Medical Association’s nationwide call for the withdrawal of non-emergency services for 24 hours from 6 am on Saturday.

Soren also said he has directed the DGP to take strict steps to ensure the safety of all the staff working in state hospitals.

“No matter how much the incident in Bengal is condemned, it is less. The Bengal government and the agencies of the central government are working hard to ensure that the culprits are punished as severely as possible,” the CM said in a post in Hindi on X.

“I would like to appeal to all the doctors in the state that your government stands with you in this hour of grief, but the treatment of patients is also very important. Please return to work and give your meaningful cooperation in making the patients healthy,” he said.

-PTI

Healthcare services in Mizoram were severely hit as doctors in the state joined the nationwide protest demanding justice for the alleged rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata, an official said.

Services at the out-patient department (OPD) and non-essential units have been suspended in all the state-run hospitals, private facilities and church-run medical establishments, Indian Medical Association Mizoram state branch president Dr John Zohmingthanga said.

Apart from OPD, all private clinics were also closed in protest against the alleged rape and murder of the doctor, he said.

Only emergency services and blood banks were functional across the state, the official said.

-PTI

Healthcare services in Gujarat were affected as doctors from government and private hospitals took to the streets on Saturday amid the 24-hour nationwide protest over the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at a Kolkata medical college.

Doctors stayed away from the outpatient departments (OPDs) and did not conduct elective surgeries in several hospitals across the state as part of a strike call given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Gujarat Junior Doctors’ Association.

Doctors held protest gatherings and took out rallies, shouting slogans demanding justice for the woman doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

The strike affected OPD services in several government hospitals.

-PTI

The Durand Cup derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, scheduled at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday, has been called off because of the prevailing unrest in the city.

The decision was taken following a meeting between the Kolkata Police officials and organisers of the tournament.

Around one lakh people are expected to gather near the 66,000-capacity stadium, especially after both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal fan clubs called for protests.

Despite the cancellation of the derby match, Mohun Bagan and East Bengals fans clubs have vowed to come together and make “their voices heard”.

Terming this a ‘Black Day’ for Kolkata Maidan, Prasenjit Sarkar, president of the Mariners’ Base Camp -- Ultras Mohun Bagan said fans from both the clubs will join together for “one common cause: justice for RG Kar victim”.

-PTI

More than 4,500 doctors in Chhattisgarh on Saturday went on a 24-hour strike as part of the nationwide protest against the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

The protest which started at 6 am affected medical services except the emergency ones in major hospitals across the state.

“We want the government to pay heed to our demands and introduce a law that will ensure protection for healthcare professionals from violence at workplace,” said Dr Rakesh Gupta, president of the IMA’s Raipur branch.

-PTI

Doctors held protests at many places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at a hospital in Kolkata and demanded safety for healthcare professionals at workplaces.

Outpatient department services remained non-functional and elective surgeries were also not conducted at hospitals in the two states but emergency services were not affected, according to the protesting doctors.

Healthcare services were severely affected with many patients claiming that they could not find doctors at hospitals for consultations.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh called a meeting with IMA representatives, Punjab Civil Medical Services and faculty on Monday to discuss the issue of healthcare professionals’ safety.

Singh said the state government stands by doctors and it will resolve all their issues on priority.

-PTI

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Saturday directed doctors to withdraw their strike and join duty in the state.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Raj Mohan Singh issued the direction during the hearing of a petition filed by Anshul Tiwari, a resident of Narsinghpur district, challenging the strike.

The court has directed the doctors to withdraw their strike and join duty, said the petitioner’s lawyers senior advocate Sanjay Agrawal and advocate Anju Agrawal.

Further, the court has directed the doctors to submit their grievances in the court, they said.

The detailed order is awaited.

-PTI

A group of Indian doctors and medical students in the UK have issued an open letter this weekend demanding justice for the postgraduate trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The letter condemns the “brutal rape and murder of an on-duty female doctor” at the hospital and the “inaction” of the West Bengal government in its response to the incident last week.

The letter follows a peaceful protest staged outside India House in London and similar gatherings in UK cities such as Edinburgh and Leeds in solidarity with the doctors protesting in India.

“This incident is a symptom of the rising violence against women and the negligence of the state towards its citizens,” reads the open letter.

“The absence of investment in public infrastructure and safety measures has a disproportionate impact on women, who are already marginalised by the patriarchal social conditions. Instead of supporting their empowerment by creating safe workplaces and efficient judicial mechanisms, government leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have historically indulged in victim-blaming and misogynist responses,” it notes.

-PTI

West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday slammed the state police force over its post on a women constable, who was injured during a midnight march held in protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 14.

In a post on X, West Bengal police posted, “Wasn’t the night Shampa’s too? It was meant to be a night for women, when they reclaimed the streets demanding safety at the workplace, in memory of a young woman who fell victim to a horrifying tragedy at her workplace. Our colleague Constable Shampa Pramanik, of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate, was in Baguiati on the night of August 14, ensuring the safety of those walking the streets. Suddenly, unprovoked, several bricks came flying from the crowd toward the police, one of which hit Shampa in the face. The accompanying photo was taken in the minutes immediately after she was hit.”

Slamming the police and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said on X that doctors, nurses, and policewomen were not safe as the police were inefficient.

“The night belonged to every woman but unfortunately WB Police and Kolkata Police weren’t up to the task of providing security to the ladies. Doctors, nurses, policewomen and the women protesting on the streets had no security because of the inefficient police force who were hand in glove with the TMC Goons and acted as co-conspirators in the pre-planned vandalism,” Adhikari said.

-ANI

Medical services were hit across Bihar on Saturday as doctors struck work in protest against the brutal rape and murder of a young lady doctor in Kolkata last week.

The strike, which, however, did not affect emergency services, was part of a nationwide stir organized by the Indian Medical Association.

“The strike which began today at 6 AM will continue for 24 hours. During this period there will be no routine OPDs or elective surgery”, said IMA Bihar chapter’s chief patron Sahajanand Prasad Singh.

Besides the state capital where patients from across Bihar are referred to hospitals like AIIMS, IGIMS and PMCH, reports of health services being hit have come from districts like Purnea and Begusarai.

-PTI

BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday urged political parties to “rise above party politics” on the issue of rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.

“The whole country is worried and angry over the atrocity of rape-murder of a lady doctor in Bengal, yet the TMC government is trying to give it a religious and political colour in its defense, while the opposition is no less in this matter.

“In such a situation, it is important to worry about how the culprits will get strict punishment and the victim’s family justice,” Mayawati posted on ‘X’ in Hindi.

In the following post she added, “Therefore, in this case, everyone will have to rise above party politics and come forward to take strict action against the real culprits by leaving aside the allegations and counter-allegations etc. The victim’s family has said they will not take compensation and want justice, everyone needs to be serious about their pain and the demand for justice for the incident.”

Doctors running private clinics and nursing homes associated with the Indian Medical Association of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday abandoned work in a protest against the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The absolute strike threw health care services across districts of UP out of gear and led to the crowding of patients at government hospitals.

Junior doctors from Lucknow’s KGMU observed a ‘Kala Rakshabandhan’ by tying black bands on their hands.

The Provincial Medical Service Association (PMS), a body of government hospitals’ doctors, continued work, but extended moral support to the striking doctors.

-PTI

Healthcare services were affected in Manipur on Saturday as doctors went on cease work in protest against the rape and murder of a medic at a hospital in Kolkata.

Outpatient departments were shut at all hospitals, including the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).

“We stand in solidarity with our colleagues against the tragic incident as well as the hooliganism unleashed on the protesting students. We demand justice for the heinous crimes as well as safety at the workplace,” said doctor Heisnam Angamba, who took part in a sit-in demonstration at the state-run JNIMS.

“The cease work will continue for 24 hours,” Heisnam said.

Emergency and in-patient services, however, remained operational at the hospital.

-PTI

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi has registered a more than 90% reduction in admissions, OPDs and operation theatres.

According to an official status report signed by Dr. Nirupam Madaan, Medical Superintendent of AIIMS, Delhi, the emergency services and ICUs are functioning normally as of Saturday (August 17, 2024).

However, OPDs, admissions, operation theatres, radiological investigations and nuclear medicine have registered a more than 90% reduction, while laboratory services have been affected by more than 80%.

- ANI

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Amid protests against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor in West Bengal, the mother of Nirbhaya, the victim of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, on Saturday (August 17, 2024) demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee saying she had “failed” to handle the situation.

Instead of using her power to act against the culprits, the Chief Minister is trying to divert people’s attention by holding protests, Nirbhaya’s mother told PTI

Read the full story below

Mamata Banerjee failed to handle situation, should resign: Nirbhaya's mother on Kolkata rape-murder

Nirbhaya's mother criticizes West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee for diverting attention from rape case protests, demands justice and resignation.

The Union health ministry said on Saturday (August 17, 2024) that a committee will be formed to suggest all possible measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals.

Representatives of all stakeholders, including the state governments, will be invited to share their suggestions with the committee.

The Ministry has requested the doctors agitating across the country over the alleged rape and killing of a resident doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata to resume their duties in the greater public interest and in view of the rising number of dengue and malaria cases.

Maharashtra resident doctors’ indefinite strike over the rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee at a government hospital in Kolkata entered the fifth day on Saturday (August 17, 2024), with private medical practitioners also joining the stir, affecting healthcare services in the State.

According to the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors, elective services such as outpatient departments, planned surgeries and lab procedures were hit due to the protest, but emergency services were attended to.

Resident doctors in the state began an indefinite strike on Tuesday (August 13, 2024) to express solidarity with the nationwide agitation against the rape-murder of a post-graduate trainee in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.

- PTI

The Himachal Pradesh Medical Doctors Association (HMOA) on Saturday (August 17, 2024) joined the national call for justice for the rape and murder victim in West Bengal, expressing solidarity with the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) call to shut down services.

Dr. Vikas Thakur, General Secretary of the HMOA, said that the association is supporting the IMA’s call for a day-long token protest, with further actions to be decided by the IMA and other associations. 

“We have called for a day-long token protest; the IMA and other associations will decide further. We are demanding the implementation of safety and security measures for the doctors. We are demanding justice.” Dr. Vikas Thakur said.

Dr. Thakur emphasised the necessity of implementing a non-bailable offence act with a minimum imprisonment term for any abuse against doctors.

- ANI

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Saturday (August 17, 2024) directed doctors to withdraw their strike and join duty in the state.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Raj Mohan Singh issued the direction during the hearing of a petition filed by Anshul Tiwari, a resident of Narsinghpur district, challenging the strike.

“The court has directed the doctors to withdraw their strike and join duty,” said the petitioner’s lawyers, senior advocate Sanjay Agrawal and advocate Anju Agrawal.

“Further, the court has directed the doctors to submit their grievances to the court,” they said.

The detailed order is awaited.

- PTI

Indian Medical Association (IMA) National President Dr. Asokan said on Saturday (August 17, 2024) that the time is ripe for PM Modi’s intervention into the rape and murder incident of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, adding that they will be writing to the Prime Minister.

“We did meet the Health Minister. Now it’s for the Government to respond. They will have the political will to respond now. Because what we have asked for is not something beyond them. We are asking for a very fundamental right, the right to life,” he added.

- ANI

Students at the prestigious Dhaka University in Bangladesh held a protest in solidarity with ongoing demonstrations over the rape and murder of a woman trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata in the neighbouring country.

The protest, organised under the banner “Awaaz Tolo Nari” (Raise Your Voice, Women), on Friday, took place at the Raju Sculpture in Dhaka University, Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.

- PTI

Doctors in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday joined the nationwide protest demanding justice for the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

As a part of the protest, the doctors at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences at Naharlagun staged a protest in front of the Emergency and Trauma Department.

Holding placards and shouting slogans, the protesting doctors demanded justice for the victim and her family members.

A doctor, who didn’t want to be identified, disclosed that all routine services in the hospital has been shut down.

- PTI

Healthcare services were affected across Odisha on Saturday as doctors joined the nationwide protest, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a colleague at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

About 6,000 members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) joined the protest across the state, leading to the closure of outpatient departments, elective surgeries and laboratory services in both government and private hospitals.

State Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the government was in touch with different doctors’ associations and requested the agitators to return to work so that healthcare services could be provided to the needy people.

In a statement, the Odisha Medical College Teachers’ Association (OMTA) condemned the incident at the RG Kar MCH, and extended support to the stir.

“We pray for the tortured soul to rest in peace, convey our deep condolence for the family and demand safety & security for doctors & medical professionals during the duty hours at the workplace,” it said.

- PTI

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said everyone was concerned about the rape and murder of the doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and not just the healthcare fraternity.

Rijiju was speaking to reporters at the Bhubaneswar airport after arriving here to attend the orientation programme of the newly-elected MLAs.

“There is concern over safety and security all along after the Kolkata incident. It is not a matter of medical staff alone and it is a matter of security for all. Everybody is concerned about the West Bengal incident. There is also anger over the incident. The Health Ministry has taken whatever steps required,” he said.

- PTI

Condemning the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday said a meeting has been called on August 20 to discuss the steps to be taken to ensure safety and security of doctors, nurses and all the staffs working in hospitals across the state.

Terming the incident as ‘ghastly’, he said it is a serious issue regarding the safety and security of people working in hospitals, especially women because they constitute more than 50 per cent of the staff. So, there should be a safe environment for them.

Addressing reporters here, the Minister said, “I have also called for a meeting regarding it on Tuesday of all the various associations, doctors, nurses and management people... we will be discussing what is in the existing law, what we can do and what are the protocols and what are the guideliness we need to follow. Based on that further steps will be taken.” In his response to the nationwide strike called by the member doctors of the Indian Medical Association, he said, “We understand the reason for the protest and they (doctors) can do it, but people should not face any difficulty and all of them have agreed to it and ensure that essential services are running,” he added.

- PTI

Doctors held protests at many places in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata and demanded safety for healthcare professionals at workplaces.

the protest of resident doctors at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh entered the sixth day on Saturday. OPD services for both old and new patients remained closed but emergency and critical care services continued.

The Faculty Association of PGIMER, Chandigarh, is also supporting the strike call given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

The IMA’s Punjab Unit advisor Navjot Dahiya said doctors are holding a protest against the rape and murder of a medic in Kolkata.

Medical professionals held sit-ins at many places in Patiala, Amritsar and Ludhiana, demanding justice for the victim and safety for doctors.

- PTI

Healthcare services took a hit across West Bengal on Saturday as doctors joined their junior colleagues in the cease work, demanding justice for the rape and murder of a medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Non-essential healthcare services at the state-run SSKM Hospital, Sambhunath Pandit Hospital, and Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, among others, were crippled because of the agitation. Similar was the scene at the private healthcare facilities in the state.

Manipal Hospitals said routine OPD services have been closed in line with IMA’s call.

“All emergency and essential services will continue and prior appointments will be rescheduled,” an official of Manipal Hospitals said.

- PTI

A case has been registered against a doctor in Gujarat’s Amreli city for allegedly waving his licensed pistol while addressing doctors and medical students assembled to protest the Kolkata rape-murder, police said on Saturday.

The incident took place around 9.30 pm Friday when a large number of medical students and doctors had gathered at the city’s Rajkamal Chowk for a candle march, said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Chirag Desai.

During his address before the start of the candle march, Dr GJ Gajera, a private practitioner, brandished his licenced pistol “with the intention to create fear among the public”, Desai said.

The police official said that Dr Gajera also violated a notification issued by the district magistrate concerning licensed weapons.

- PTI

Healthcare services across Nagaland were affected on Saturday with medics going on strike in protest against the rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The Indian Medical Association Nagaland State Branch (IMANSB), Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) and Indian Dental Association Nagaland State Branch (IDANSB) declared withdrawal of all services, except the emergency, from 6 am to 6 pm.

IMANSB honorary secretary doctor Aonungdok Tushi Ao said they stand with the IMA’s call for the nationwide strike in solidarity with the protesting medics.

An official of the Naga Hospital Authority Kohima told PTI that the outpatient department (OPD) was closed while emergency services were operational.

- PTI

The former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital Dr Sandip Ghosh on Saturday appeared before the CBI for questioning for the second consecutive day in connection with the rape and murder of a doctor.

On Friday, the agency escorted the former hospital principal for questioning which continued till 3 am on Saturday.

Ghosh was made to sit in a room at the CBI’s city office here at the CGO Complex till 9.30 pm after which the grilling session started, an officer said.

Hours later, Ghosh reached the CBI office for the second time a little before 10.30 am for his second round of examination.

During his first round of questioning, the former principal was asked about his first reaction after getting the news of the doctor’s death whom he instructed to inform the family and how and who contacted the police, the officer said.

- PTI

Doctors in Ernakulam district of Kerala joined the nationwide protest on Saturday against the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata.

At the General Hospital, Ernakulam, outpatient services were partially hit as senior doctors participated in the strike. The outpatient wing was managed by a few house surgeons. The number of visitors to the outpatient wing was less in view of the strike call by the doctors.

Doctors practising independently and in various private hospitals in Goa struck work from 6 am on Saturday to join the nationwide protest against the rape and murder of their colleague in Kolkata.

IMA Goa president Dr Sandesh Chodankar said all their members have joined the protest from 6 am on Saturday and it will continue for 24 hours.

He said that emergency services in private hospitals will remain unaffected as doctors attached to emergency and casualty units have not joined the agitation.

He said the IMA members have planned a silent protest march on Saturday from Azad Maidan to Old Goa Medical College and Hospital building in the capital city.

The building currently houses the office of the Entertainment Society of Goa, a nodal agency to host the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Senior and junior resident doctors from the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) have been on strike since Friday afternoon.

- PTI

Doctors across Assam on Saturday joined the nationwide protest against the rape and murder of a doctor in a Kolkata hospital, demanding exemplary punishment for the culprits and a central law to ensure safety of medical professionals.

Out-patient and non-essential services came to a near halt in all hospitals as doctors assembled on the premises, wearing black badges and displaying placards to press for their demands.

“We want justice for the victim, the family, that is our first demand. We also want to emphasise the need for awareness and education in the society so that such crimes are not repeated,” a resident doctor at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here said.

Another female junior doctor added, “We don’t have fixed duty hours. We are called from our hostel at 1 am in the night. How can we come and perform our duties when we lack basic security?” “Justice delayed is justice denied, and we want swift, exemplary punishment,” she demanded.

Doctors at Dibrugarh’s Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) maintained that the protest was also a manifestation of the lack of security faced by people from all walks of life.

- PTI

Healthcare services were affected in Jharkhand on Saturday as doctors joined the 24-hour strike called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to protest the rape and murder of a colleague at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

IMA’s state secretary doctor Pradeep Kumar Singh said health services would remain till 6 am on Sunday.

“We seek justice for the trainee doctor, and condemn the vandalism carried out at RG Kar MCH,” he said.

State IMA chief doctor Arun Kumar Singh told PTI, “All government and private hospitals, besides diagnostic centres, are participating in the strike.” “All elective services, outpatient department (OPD) activities, and elective surgeries will remain suspended during the strike. It will, however, not impact the emergency services,” he said.

Members of the IMA, Jharkhand State Health Association (JHSA), RDA-CIP, and the Association of Healthcare Providers will take out a march in Ranchi later in the day.

- PTI

At the stroke of the midnight hour, on the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, tens of thousands of women gathered across the streets of the country. With anger that bubbles up only after a ferment, they protested the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata’s state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital a week earlier. This mass outrage was not just about the crime, but also about the larger lack of safety of women and doctors across India, where there are more than 80 rapes every day on average, as per the National Crime Records Bureau (2022). A common refrain was: “What freedom do Indian women really have?”