A massive protest rally underway at Shyam Bazaar against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident. (ANI)
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Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder: In Kolkata and across Bengal, residents participated in a nighttime march, part of the “reclaim the night” movement, protesting the tragic murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College. The evening began with candlelight vigils, leading to processions through major streets, as the community came together in solidarity against violence.
A day earlier, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the newly drafted anti-rape Bill, that seeks capital punishment for a rape convict if the assault results in the death of a victim or leaves her in a vegetative state, and life sentence without parole for any other offender. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the proposed legislation as “historic” and rejected the Opposition charge that her government had not done enough for the security of women.
Reacting to the passage of the Bill, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that while strong laws are necessary, strong actions are more important. “This is an extremely serious matter. Please don’t make it political issue. Very strong laws are necessary but strong actions are more important. When the letter was written, media had carried this news extensively, but West Bengal Govt failed to act!” Rijiju said.
A massive protest rally underway at Shyam Bazaar against the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape-murder incident. (ANI)
The Union minister said, "BJP has already made its stand clear that this protest is not of any political nature, it is of society and people. So, people are leading this... BJP is participating in this as second bencher and people, social organisation, and society are first benchers."
A group demonstrating self-defense techniques at Garia More during the protest. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)
Protesters hold candles outside RG Kar Hospital and College on Wednesday night. (Express photo by Partha Paul)
Housewives and children on their way to light candles near Bethune College in North Kolkata. They sing ‘we shall overcome’ in Bengali. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose lighting a candle at the Raj Bhawan in Kolkata. (Courtesy: Raj Bhawan)
In Kolkata and across Bengal, residents participated in a nighttime march, part of the "reclaim the night" movement, protesting the tragic murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College. The evening began with candlelight vigils, leading to processions through major streets, emphasizing community solidarity against violence.
Amid continued protests by medics following the R G Kar rape-murder incident, Indian Medical Association president Dr R V Asokan on Wednesday urged all doctors to resume work, leaving the job of delivering justice to the Supreme Court.
In a statement, he said the rape and murder of the trainee postgraduate woman doctor at the West Bengal government-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital has moved the nation's conscience. "The anger and frustration of the entire nation is over the fact that she happened to be a budding doctor as well as that she was the only girl child of lower-middle-class parents. The entire nation has adopted her as their daughter," the IMA chief said. Referring to the protests by doctors across the country, Dr Asokan said the medical fraternity was "justifiably on the boil".
A balance must be struck between making hospitals secure and at the same time accessible for patients to freely consult doctors, AIIMS-Delhi Director Dr M Srinivas said amid demands by medics across India for a safe work environment following the R G Kar rape-murder incident.
In an exclusive interview with PTI editors, Dr Srinivas said not much heed has been paid to the safety and comfort of medical professionals and the focus has been on patient care and "being emotionally attached to them". The rape and murder of a trainee woman doctor at the West Bengal government-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has sparked an intense debate over frailties in hospital infrastructure as well as the working conditions and safety of medical professionals. Dr Srinivas, who is a member of the National Task Force tasked with formulating a protocol for ensuring the safety of doctors and other healthcare professionals in the aftermath of the Kolkata incident, said the demands by resident doctors have opened everyone's eyes.
"If you look at institutes of national importance such as AIIMS and PGI Chandigarh, they are still better off regarding infrastructure in terms of duty rooms, basic amenities, hostels and defined working hours," he said. PTI
Former principal of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh has moved the Supreme Court, challenging the Calcutta High Court order dismissing his plea to be added as a party to a petition alleging financial irregularities at the institute during his tenure.
On August 23, the high court ordered the transfer of the probe into the alleged financial irregularities from a state-constituted Special Investigation Team (SIT) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The murder and alleged rape of a junior doctor at the state-run hospital has sparked nationwide protests.
The medic's body with severe injury marks was found in the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department on August 9. A civic volunteer was arrested by the Kolkata Police in connection with the case the following day. PTI
The 'cease work' by junior doctors at state-run hospitals in West Bengal continued on Wednesday to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee medic at RG Kar hospital here last month. Health services remained crippled at most state-run medical facilities due to the 'cease work', which has been underway for over three weeks now.
“Our demand for justice is still unfulfilled. The protests will continue till our sister gets justice and the culprits are brought to book,” one of the junior medics said, adding that Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal had not yet resigned, which was another demand of the agitating doctors.
The protesters have alleged inadequate steps by the police during its probe into the August 9 rape-murder of the young doctor, before the investigation was handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court. PTI
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, reacting to the passage of the anti-rape Bill, took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that while strong laws are necessary, strong actions are more important.
âThis is an extremely serious matter. Please donât make it political issue. Very strong laws are necessary but strong actions are more important. When the letter was written, media had carried this news extensively, but West Bengal Govt failed to act!â Rijiju said.
He also shared a letter written by him to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2018, where he highlighted the ignorance of the state government in providing justice for women and children.
Health services remained crippled at state-run hospitals in West Bengal as junior doctors Wednesday continued to protest against the alleged rape and murder of a trainee medic at RG Kar hospital lats month, news agency PTI reported.
The protesters have alleged inadequate steps by the police during its probe into the matter, before the investigation was handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court.
They are also demanding the Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal to resign. (PTI)
Former R G Kar Medical College and Hospital's principal Sandip Ghosh was sent to CBI custody for eight days on Tuesday.
The CBI on Monday arrested the institute’s former principal and three others in a corruption case.
The central agency has been conducting parallel probes into the rape-murder of a junior doctor as well as allegations of financial irregularities at the hospital that emerged later.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said there is a need to bring a comprehensive anti-rape law in a time-bound manner.
In a post on X, Abhishek Banerjee wrote, " Given the harrowing statistic of a rape every 15 minutes, the demand for a comprehensive time-bound anti-rape law is more pressing than ever. Bengal is leading the charge with its anti-rape bill . " He further added the Centre must take "decisive action whether by ordinance or BNSS amendment in the upcoming parliament session to ensure that justice is both swift and severe, with trials and conviction concluded in 50 days."
The West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the anti-rape Bill that seeks capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state.
The West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the newly drafted anti-rape Bill today. However, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari proposed amendments to the Bill which were not accepted by the House. The two-day special session of the Assembly has been called by the TMC government in the wake of the rape-murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.
The anti-rape Bill aims at quick investigation, fast justice delivery and enhanced punishment, the CM said in the Bengal Assembly.
She further said Rs 100 crore has been sanctioned to build restrooms, proper illumination and CCTVs in hospitals.
"Prime minister and home minister failed to protect women in the country. I demand their resignation," she added
Talking about the new anti-rape Bill, West Bengal CM Mamata said she wanted the central government to bring in a strong law, which was not done.
First ask Narendra Modi to resign. There is an attempt to defame Bengal, she says
"Some people are saying state government cannot bring law. I tell them state can bring in a law," she adds.
"Rape is a now a national shame. Let us come together for social reform which is needed to prevent rapes," CM Mamata says during a discussion on the new anti-rape Bill which was tabled this morning.
She also placed her letters written to PM on the issue in the Assembly.
Speaking during a discussion on the tabled anti-rape Bill, Mamata Banerjee highlights Hathras and Unnao incidents, speaking on crimes against the women throughout the country.
The anti-rape Bill has been tabled in the West Bengal Assembly.
The discussion on the Bill is expected to take place for around two hours in which BJP MLAs Sikha Chatterjee and Agnimitra Paul are scheduled to speak beside the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be the speakers for the government.
West Bengal Law minister Moloy Ghatak tabled the state anti-rape Bill at Assembly special session
On the eve of the two-day special session of the Assembly called to pass a Bill on stringent punishment for rape convicts, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul told The Indian Express that the Bills is being tabled by the TMC government “to hide their failures”.
“Already, the Central government has a law against rape and murder. In that law, the provision for capital punishment is there. The Centre has framed it and directed the state governments to set up fast-track courts. This state government (TMC government) did not set up fast-track courts. Instead, the Chief Minister falsely announced that trial would be conducted in a fast-track court. Basically, the state government is bringing this law to suppress their failures,” said Paul.
The proposed legislation seeks capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state.
Additionally, it stipulates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of rape and gangrape.
Titled the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' the legislation aims to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences
"Twelve years after Nirbhaya, the bestial, heinous crimes don’t end. Everyday. This August we failed a young doctor in Kolkata. We failed a tribal woman in Raigarh. We failed a 15-year-old in Jodhpur, a 7-year-old in Delhi, two 4-year-olds in Badlapur. Let’s pledge today to turn words into action. Swiftly. A start is that for the first time a State passes a stringent Anti-Rape Bill. It is a beginning #bengalshowstheway “I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep…," TMC MP Derek O'Brien wrote on X ahead of the two-day special session of the West Bengal Assembly where the newly drafted Bill will be tabled.
- The West Bengal Assembly is starting its two-day special session today. The session has been called in view of the rape-murder of the trainee doctor at R G Kar Hospital.
- TMC vs BJP in Assembly: With the ruling Trinamool Congress set to table a new Bill amending and introducing provisions related to rape and sexual offences, the BJP is gearing up to oppose it.
- Junior doctors forum to continue protest, seek resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner.
The arrested accused in the alleged rape and murder of the woman medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital would likely plead "not guilty" in the court since he was "framed" in the case, his counsel said on Monday.
The accused Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who is currently lodged in the Presidency Correctional Home, has told the lawyer that the doctor was not known to him, she added.
"My client has said that he has been implicated and evidence was created to frame him. He will plead not guilty in court," Roy's counsel, who is unwilling to be named, told PTI.
The lawyer claimed that since the day she was assigned to represent Roy in his case, she could meet only twice, first for 15 minutes and 10 minutes during the second time on Saturday.
"We will fight our case based on the documents produced by the prosecution lawyers before the court," she said, claiming that the accused has maintained his innocence during the polygraph test.
His counsel also claimed that Roy had gone to the floor where the seminar hall of the RG Kar Hospital is located to find out the health condition of his friend's father who was operated on that day.
"He went to the pulmonary department which is on the same floor where the seminar hall is situated. It was then when he saw the woman lying there," she said.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday claimed that all steps on tabling an anti-rape Bill in the West Bengal Assembly were taken unilaterally by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and not by the Speaker as is the practice.
The comment of the leader of the opposition came a day before the Bill, proposing capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim's death or cause her to become vegetative, is scheduled to be tabled and passed in a special session of the assembly. The draft bill also stated that persons convicted of rape and gang rape would receive a sentence lasting for the rest of the natural lives of the convicts. PTI
The Calcutta High Court on Monday asked the West Bengal government to produce all documents related to the arrest of four persons in connection with the August 27 march to state secretariat Nabanna to protest the rape-murder of a doctor in R G Kar hospital. The court questioned the justification for their arrest and subsequent release 24 hours later, and enquired whether proper procedures were followed by police in detaining them. The state told the court that it was a preventive arrest on part of the Howrah city police, who anticipated that the persons might cause serious disturbances during the protest march to Nabanna under the banner of 'Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj'. Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj questioned what specific disturbances were anticipated and why the persons were released 24 hours ahead of the August 27 protest march. PTI
A "drunk" attendant of a patient allegedly tried to enter the room of a 25-year-old junior female doctor, and also misbehaved with her at a government hospital in Indore, prompting the management to order a probe after angry resident medicos flagged the incident, officials said on Monday. The alleged incident took place at the Maharaja Yashwantrao Hospital (MYH) on the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday, they said. The Junior Doctor Association (JDA) said the MYH, one of the biggest government-run hospitals in Madhya Pradesh, should learn a lesson from the rape and murder of a junior doctor at a Kolkata hospital and ramp up security arrangements at the facility. MYH is attached to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College (MGMMC) in Indore.
A national coordination conclave of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has condemned the incident of violence against a female doctor in West Bengal and said there was a necessity for revisiting laws and penal actions to expedite swift justice for women who suffer atrocities.
Describing the incident in West Bengal as 'very unfortunate' and 'alarming', Sunil Ambekar, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, said on Monday that self-defence skills for 'atmaraksha' (self-protection) should be imparted to girls at the school and college levels, as well as to working women, to empower them to protect themselves from such attacks.
The draft of the anti-rape Bill, scheduled to be tabled by the Mamata Banerjee government in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday, proposes capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim's death or cause her to become vegetative.
Additionally, the draft stated that persons convicted of rape and gang-rape would receive a life sentence lasting for the rest of their natural lives.
Titled 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill, (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' the legislation aims to enhance protection for women and children by amending and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences.
The draft Bill proposes to amend the newly passed Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 laws and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 "in their application to the state of West Bengal to enhance punishment and to constitute the framework for...expeditious investigation and trial of the heinous act of violence against women and children." In its statement of purpose the draft Bill proposes "to create a safer environment for women and children" in the state. PTI
The CBI on Monday arrested the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh in connection with the alleged financial misconduct at the establishment, officials said.
Ghosh was questioned for the 15th day at the agency's Salt Lake office over the alleged rape and murder of the RG Kar hospital post-graduate trainee on August 9.
He was later escorted to the CBI's Nizam Palace office in Kolkata which houses the agency's anti-corruption wing and was shown as arrested.
The hospital's former deputy superintendent Dr Akhtar Ali had lodged complaints of financial irregularities on multiple counts at the establishment during Ghosh's tenure as principal.
Ghosh was asked to go on leave by the state government after the murder of the trainee doctor came to light.
Junior doctors of different medical colleges here on Monday took out a rally to Kolkata Police headquarters Lalbazar demanding the resignation of police commissioner Vineet Goyal alleging police inaction in stopping vandalism in Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 14. The agitating medics also alleged inadequate steps by the police during its probe into the August 9 rape-murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in the state-run hospital, before the investigation was handed over to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court on August 13. Police put up guardrails on B B Ganguly Street leading to Lalbazar from College Square in north Kolkata to stop the rally from reaching the police headquarters. The agitating junior doctors said that they will hold a peaceful march. PTI
The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the West Bengal government's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's order granting bail to one of the organisers of the August 27 march to the state secretariat to protest against a trainee woman doctor's rape and murder.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said "prima facie" a case for bail was made out in the case.
The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted bail to Paschim Banga Chhtra Samaj leader Sayan Lahiri. Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, an unregistered student group, was one of the two organisations that gave the call for the August 27 'Nabanna Abhijan'.
Lahiri was arrested on August 27 evening for playing an active role in leading the rally which, the police said, turned violent, causing destruction of public and private property and attacks on police officers.
Acting on a plea by Lahiri's mother Anjali seeking quashing of proceedings against him and grant of bail, the Calcutta High Court had on Friday ordered his release from police custody by 2 pm on Saturday.
The Kolkata Police released Lahiri from its custody on Saturday. A woman post-graduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at the West Bengal government-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital earlier this month, triggering nationwide outrage. PTI
A national coordination conclave of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has condemned the incident of violence against a female doctor in West Bengal, describing it as 'very unfortunate', Sunil Ambekar, RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, said here on Monday.
Addressing a press conference after concluding the three-day conclave called 'Samanway Baithak', he said there was a necessity for revisiting laws and penal actions to expedite swift justice for women who suffer atrocities.
"All they find that there is a need for revisiting all these so that we can have proper procedure, fast-track procedures and we can deliver justice to the victim," Ambekar said. -- PTI
After West Bengal Mamata Banerjee advised TMC leaders to “hiss” at “ugly, slanderous” people trying to “bite” them, party leaders are threatening people. The latest is Atish Sarkar, husband of a TMC councillor at Habra, who lashed out at protestors on Sunday.
“I will make a distorted picture of your mother and sister and hang it on the door of your house. You will not be able to leave your house,” he said, referring to people making social media posts to criticise the state administration in the wake of the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case.
RSS has condemned the incident of violence against female doctor in West Bengal, describing it as 'very unfortunate', reports PTI.
Amid the protest over the alleged rape-murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education has published guidelines for the higher secondary examination scheduled for next year.
The council stated that if any “political slogans” are written in the answer sheet, the candidate’s candidature may be cancelled. It also said, “A candidate shall be held guilty of misconduct or malpractice if he/she encloses a currency note with answer script with the intention of offering illegal gratification or inducements to the invigilator or any other person connected with the examination or in any way tries to take illegal or unfair advantages…”
On West Bengal govt to bring law on death penalty for rape, Union Minister Shantanu Thakur says, "Why didn't the state government bring such a legislation before? Now, this bill is being brought to hide the main issue. They are trying to bring this bill to gain sympathy. But all this will not work. We will continue to protest."
Trinamool Congress MP from Barasat Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar on Sunday apologised for her remarks on medical students, which she had made in a television debate show, triggering a row and condemnation from the medical fraternity.
“I am sorry for any statement made in a talk show, and apologise if my recent words have hurt anyone’s sentiments. I retract my statement," she said.
Meanwhile, the TMC has decided not to send its representatives to three news channels – ABP Ananda, Republic, and TV9, accusing them of running “persistent anti-Bengal agenda-driven propaganda”.
Alleging that Opposition parties “have crossed all limits” in misleading people over the rape and murder of a junior doctor in a Kolkata hospital, TMC MP from Bankura Arup Chakraborty on Sunday told party workers that if they “hiss”, those who are protesting would flee like dogs.
Addressing party workers in Bankura, Chakraborty said: “Nijer bibek ke jagaan. Bangla ke rokkha korun. Mamata Banerjee-r pashe daran. Delhi-r Sansade aamra aachi. Trinamool Congress-er kormider phonsh korte hobe bandhu. Phonsh kore din, kukurer moton paaliye jaabe . Sheyal-er moton dourabe ( Awaken your conscience. Save Bengal. Stand with Mamata Banerjee. We are there in Parliament. Trinamool Congress workers will have to hiss. Friends, you hiss and they will flee like dogs, run like foxes).”
The Bill comes in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Prominent film personalities and rights activists held a night-long sit-in in the city till 4 am on Monday, demanding justice for the victim, reported PTI. Thousands of people participated in a protest march on Sunday, and at the end of the rally, they squatted in the Esplanade area in central Kolkata, to press upon the government for a swift probe into the heinous crime and arrest of the culprits.
The BJP has decided to oppose the Bill for capital punishment in rape cases, likely to be tabled by the Trinamool Congress government during the special session of the West Bengal Assembly today. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul Sunday told The Indian Express that the Bill is being tabled by the TMC government “to hide their failures”.
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