In response to recent events surrounding the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, three senior police officers have been suspended. This includes two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and an inspector.
The incident occurred amidst widespread protests by women in Kolkata. Following the gruesome crime, a mob stormed the hospital and caused extensive damage to the emergency department, nursing station, and medicine store.
The police force faced heavy criticism from both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court for their inability to control the mob and manage the situation effectively. The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the delay in filing the first information report (FIR), the delay in returning the body to the victim’s family, and the overall failure to safeguard women and medical staff during the attack.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasized that denying women the safety to work is a violation of their right to equality. The court also highlighted that Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, attempted to misrepresent the murder as a suicide.
Further scrutiny revealed that the FIR for the murder was filed hours after the body was handed over to the family, which only added to the criticism. The victim, who had been working a 36-hour shift, suffered from multiple injuries and confirmed sexual assault, as detailed in the post-mortem report.
In light of the protests from doctors nationwide, the Supreme Court has urged them to halt their demonstrations, promising to address their concerns through appropriate actions.
