The brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old female trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on the night of August 9 has shocked the nation, sparking widespread protests and raising serious concerns about safety within medical institutions. As the case unfolds, it reveals troubling questions about institutional negligence, possible evidence tampering, and the role of law enforcement. Here’s a detailed account of how the incident was captured through the voices of those involved and the key developments that have brought the case to the Supreme Court.
The Night of the Incident
On August 9, the second-year postgraduate trainee doctor had dinner with her juniors and then decided to rest in the hospital’s seminar hall, citing a lack of rest spaces. The following morning, her semi-nude body was discovered in the same hall, leading to immediate suspicions of rape and murder. The victim’s father expressed grave concerns, pointing to clear indications of sexual assault and accusing the hospital of delaying the investigation.
The Father’s Heartbreaking Discovery
The father of the victim recounted the horrific scene when he found his daughter’s body, draped only in a bedsheet with her legs apart and one hand on her head. The family was made to wait for three hours before being allowed to see her body, adding to their anguish. Despite the apparent signs of violence, the hospital initially informed the family that the death was a suicide, a claim the police later denied making.
Institutional Failures and Public Outrage
Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the then-head of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, faced severe criticism for his handling of the case. His comments, perceived as victim-blaming, and the hospital’s failure to ensure staff safety led to his resignation. However, in a surprising turn, he was reinstated as Principal of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital just 24 hours later, further fueling public outrage.
Nationwide protests erupted, with junior doctors at the hospital halting work, except for emergency services, demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators. The protests disrupted healthcare services across the country as medical professionals rallied for justice. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded to the outrage, vowing severe consequences for those responsible, including the possibility of hanging.
The Arrest of Sanjoy Roy
Sanjoy Roy, a 33-year-old civic volunteer with access to various hospital departments, emerged as the key suspect. His arrest came after evidence, including a torn Bluetooth earphone, linked him to the crime. Roy’s history of watching violent pornography and previous allegations of marital abuse further compounded suspicions against him. Authorities are also investigating his close ties with senior police officers, which allegedly allowed him unfettered access to the hospital.
Allegations of Evidence Tampering
Kanchan Gupta, a senior advisor with the Union Ministry of Information, claimed that CCTV footage related to the crime had been destroyed, suggesting a possible cover-up. This allegation has added to the growing public distrust in the investigation. In response to the mounting pressure and perceived flaws in the investigation, the Kolkata High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The CBI’s Findings and Legal Proceedings
The CBI, upon taking over the investigation, found that the initial suspicions of gang rape were likely unfounded. Forensic reports pointed to the involvement of a single individual, Sanjoy Roy, with CCTV footage corroborating his presence in the building where the crime occurred. The CBI’s preliminary investigation also revealed that Roy had consumed alcohol before committing the crime.
Supreme Court Hearing
The case reached the Supreme Court, where Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the victim, expressed concerns over a potential cover-up. He highlighted the fact that the First Information Report (FIR) was registered only at 11:45 p.m., after the cremation of the deceased, which he argued was indicative of institutional negligence. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud questioned the delay and asked whether the FIR initially indicated that it was a case of murder, to which the response confirmed that the inquest showed signs of homicide.
Calls for Justice
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Independence Day address, expressed deep concern over the rising incidents of violence against women, calling for swift and severe punishment for gender-based crimes. The Union Health Ministry also issued a directive mandating that all government hospitals file police complaints within six hours of any violence on their premises, holding the head of the institution accountable for any delay.
As the nation watches, the tragic case of the Kolkata doctor continues to unfold, with many hoping that justice will be served swiftly and decisively.
