The recent incident of a doctor being raped and murdered inside a Kolkata hospital has sparked outrage and protests by junior doctors demanding quick punishment for those responsible. The accused, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who frequented the hospital, was arrested after evidence of blood was found on his shoes. The police revealed that Roy returned to his place after the crime, slept, and then washed his clothes to destroy evidence.
The protests by junior doctors have entered their third day, affecting services in government hospitals across West Bengal. City Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the medical establishment to meet with the agitating doctors and assured them of a transparent investigation. He urged people not to spread rumors and stated that there is currently no evidence of anyone else being involved in the crime.
The initial autopsy report revealed that the victim suffered injuries to her eyes, mouth, private parts, leg, neck, hand, finger, and lips. There are indications that she was first murdered and then raped. The police are conducting a thorough investigation, collecting samples from the crime scene, and analyzing CCTV footage. The police commissioner handed over the autopsy report to the victim’s parents and assured them of a transparent investigation.
The agitating junior doctors are demanding better security measures in medical establishments to prevent such incidents in the future. They have vowed to continue their demonstration until their demands are met. The state health department has canceled offs and holidays for senior doctors to address the stalemate.
Support for the protesting doctors has come from various organizations, including the Federation of Resident Doctors‘ Association of India (FORDA), which has called for a nationwide halt of elective services in hospitals. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised to seek the death penalty for the perpetrator.
In response to the protests, Kolkata Police has deployed a large contingent at the hospital to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. The hospital authorities have expelled two security personnel for not properly discharging their duties, which contributed to the crime against the doctor.
The incident has not only highlighted systemic failures at the hospital level but also broader societal issues that require immediate attention. The protests by junior doctors serve as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the safety and security of healthcare workers in medical establishments. The ongoing demonstrations reflect a collective demand for justice and accountability in the face of such heinous crimes.