Kolkata, India – A postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital was found dead on August 9, 2024, under mysterious circumstances, prompting a police investigation. The 31-year-old's death, initially reported as a possible suicide, took a grim turn when the post-mortem examination revealed she had been sexually assaulted and murdered.
The victim's body was discovered in a semi-nude state within the hospital's seminar hall, with signs of injuries. Preliminary findings indicated that she had been strangled and possibly smothered. The discovery sparked outrage and protests among junior doctors and the broader medical community in West Bengal.
Police arrested Sanjoy Roy, a 33-year-old civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, as a suspect in connection with the crime. CCTV footage reportedly placed Roy in the hospital premises during the hours leading up to the discovery of the body. However, some colleagues and family members of the victim suspect that Roy may be a scapegoat, and the actual perpetrators are still at large.
The Calcutta High Court subsequently transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing a lack of confidence in the Kolkata Police's initial handling of the case. A special CBI court granted permission for a polygraph test to be conducted on the accused, Sanjoy Roy, as well as the former principal of the medical college.
Adding to the complexity of the case, allegations have surfaced suggesting the doctor may have been targeted for uncovering irregularities within the institution. Concerns include a potential drug siphoning racket and the immense work pressure she faced, documented in her personal diary. Prior to her death, she reportedly told her parents about the excessive workload. Diary entries also alluded to her feeling overburdened by colleagues. The West Bengal Doctors' Forum has demanded an impartial probe into the matter, led by a sitting judge of the Kolkata High Court, and called for the removal of the college principal. They cited his "high-handedness, misleading statements, and instigating attitudes" following the tragedy. The forum also requested the release of CCTV footage from the respiratory medicine department to the seminar room.
The incident has amplified concerns about the safety of women and doctors in India, triggering nationwide and international protests. The medical fraternity in West Bengal initiated a 42-day strike, demanding a thorough investigation and improved security measures at hospitals. The Supreme Court intervened, urging protesting doctors to resume their duties and directing the state government to provide support to the CISF team ensuring security at the R.G. Kar Hospital.
