Kolkata doctor’s rape-murder: Rival group asks chief secy to probe funding of junior doctors’ protest

In a letter to the chief secretary, the WBJDA wrote, “The alleged financial irregularities of WBJDF, including fundraising in the name of Abhaya which has come into the public domain has to be addressed immediately."

The newly formed West Bengal Junior Doctor Association (WBJDA), comprising suspended doctors of R G Kar hospital among others, has written a letter to state Chief Secretary Manoj Pant with an eight-point charter of demands that includes “no action without a probe” and probe into funds collected by its rival group, West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF).

On Saturday, the group of doctors, whose suspension by an internal committee was stayed by the Calcutta High Court last week, announced the formation of a new association, rivalling the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front (WBJDF) which is leading the protests over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run Kolkata hospital.

In a letter to the chief secretary, the WBJDA wrote, “The alleged financial irregularities of WBJDF, including fundraising in the name of Abhaya which has come into the public domain has to be addressed immediately. We demand a proper audit of that huge collection of funds and a proper investigation of the sources and motive of such alleged financial irregularities by a competent authority of the government.”

On the suspension of medical students and junior doctors, the letter stated, “No one in any medical college should be punished according to baseless perspectives or recommendations of one side, which has been going on in recent days… to fulfill political and personal agendas of some personnel. If such incidents are reported again in the future, then all govt officials including the principal and MSVP of that medical college or institute involved in such biased, vindictive decision-making processes have to undertake investigations accordingly…”

Addressing mediapersons on Monday, Srish Chakraborty, a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College, claimed that the junior doctors’ protest, aimed at “addressing the systemic failures that led to the crime”, had led to “chaos” in the state’s healthcare system due to their cease work. “We are also protesting against the rape and murder but we were against the cease work. That is why we were alienated and allegations of threat culture were levelled against us. Protesting junior doctors wanted to end our careers and we were illegally suspended,” Chakraborty alleged.

Besides seeking capital punishment for the “culprits” for the rape and murder of the R G Kar victim after “proper investigation”, and security for healthcare professionals, the Association wrote that the “healthcare system should be adequate to give proper facilities to the patients in all domains of the system from medical colleges to primary health centres.”

Atri Mitra

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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