The horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College on the night of August 8-9 has become a national issue, sparking widespread protests and doctor strikes across the country. Following the Kolkata High Court's directive, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation. The incident has also ignited a political firestorm, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing the BJP of politicizing the issue, while the BJP has criticized the state government over women’s safety.
Here’s a timeline of the key events:
August 8, 2024:
A junior doctor, a second-year postgraduate student in Chest Medicine at RG Kar Medical College, was raped and murdered during her night duty at the hospital. After dining with friends past midnight, she went missing.
August 9, 2024:
The doctor’s partially naked body was discovered in a seminar hall on the fourth floor of the college. The post-mortem report confirmed sexual assault, with the body found on a bloodstained mattress. Despite severe injuries on various parts of her body, hospital authorities initially informed her family of a suicide. The family accused the hospital of covering up a rape and murder, leading to widespread protests by doctors nationwide. That night, the police arrested a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, who was linked to the crime through a broken Bluetooth headphone found at the crime scene.
August 10, 2024:
Police interrogated Roy, revealing he had visited red-light districts before committing the crime. Roy had left and returned to the hospital multiple times on the night of the crime. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) wrote to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, threatening to cease services if action wasn’t taken within 24 hours. The BJP also demanded a CBI investigation.
August 11, 2024:
Amid ongoing protests, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited RG Kar Medical College and assured students that ACP Chandan Gupta, who was on duty the night of the incident, had been removed. The Bengal government also made several changes in the hospital administration. FORDA announced a nationwide doctors' strike starting August 12.
August 12, 2024:
The nationwide doctors' strike began, severely affecting health services. The Principal of RG Kar Medical College, Dr. Sandeep Ghosh, resigned. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police summoned several junior doctors and hospital staff for questioning. Amid increasing political pressure, the Bengal government warned that if the case wasn’t resolved by Sunday, it would be handed over to the CBI. The BJP and Congress called for strict action, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi urging for justice.
August 13, 2024:
Kolkata Police called in more individuals connected to the case for questioning, including those who had dinner with the victim. The National Commission for Women visited the college, while FORDA announced a nationwide OPD shutdown. The Calcutta High Court, responding to multiple petitions including one from the victim’s family, ordered a CBI investigation and criticized the delay in informing the family about the incident. The CBI was instructed to take over the investigation and submit a report in three weeks.
August 14, 2024:
The CBI officially began its investigation, registering a fresh FIR and questioning key individuals, including the accused. The agency visited the crime scene and the victim's family. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) met with the victim’s parents, expressing solidarity and demanding justice.
August 15, 2024:
Kolkata Police reported that 12 individuals had been arrested in connection with the case, all remanded in custody until August 22. Protests escalated, with doctors intensifying their demonstrations. The situation led to clashes between doctors and police, resulting in damage to police vehicles. CBI continued its investigation, questioning more suspects.
August 16, 2024:
FORDA announced the continuation of its strike, condemning the government’s response. The IMA called for a nationwide 24-hour strike on August 17, from 6 AM, with essential services remaining operational, but regular OPDs and elective surgeries being suspended.
The case continues to unfold, with both medical associations and political parties closely monitoring developments. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for three weeks later, as the nation awaits justice for the brutal crime.
