Kolkata woman doctor rape-murder: Protesting doctors to suspend emergency services as well from today, seek fast-track judicial inquiry

The statement issued by the ‘Representatives of All the Resident Doctors of West Bengal’ on Sunday night after a meeting said the doctors were “disgusted and heartbroken” by the alleged rape and murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate student who was found dead in the seminar hall at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on Friday. The police arrested a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the crime and the government removed hospital superintendent Sanjay Vashisth.

On Monday morning, principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, Professor Sandip Ghosh, submitted his resignation. His removal was one of the demands by agitating doctors. Their other demands include:

• A fast-track judicial inquiry with “exemplary punishment” to all the perpetrators.
• A proper and transparent investigation, as the doctors have questioned the sanctity of the ongoing investigation.
• The resignation of all responsible authorities, including the medical superintendent cum vice-principal (MSVP), dean, head of the pulmonary medicine department, and assistant commissioner of police of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital police outpost, who failed to fulfil their duty of protecting the dignity and life of a woman.
• An immediate apology from the Kolkata police for their alleged brutal assault on protesting students on Saturday in front of the hospital.
• Adequate compensation to the victim’s family.
• Ensure adequate workplace security measures in all the medical colleges in the state.

The statement also outlined a plan of action, which said the doctors would observe a cease-work protest (both emergency and non-emergency services) in all West Bengal medical colleges until their demands were met.

According to the statement, resident doctors at K M Hospital, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Midnapore Medical College Hospital, R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, and Nilratan Sarkar Medical College and Hospital will be among those who will observe the cease-work protest.

It also said a mass citizens’ rally will be held from 4 pm on Monday from College Square to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.