The father of the doctor who was tragically raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year has alleged that the assault on his wife during a recent protest was a "pre-planned" act. The protest, held on August 9, 2025, marked the one-year anniversary of his daughter's death and aimed to demand justice for her.
According to the father, the police's actions were not a spontaneous response but a deliberate attempt to silence their voices. He has formally lodged a complaint with the Kolkata Police Commissioner, requesting the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the officers involved. In his email to the Commissioner, he detailed the "extreme harassment" he faced while trying to register the FIR, claiming he was directed from one police station to another.
The incident occurred during a march towards the West Bengal state secretariat, Nabanna. The victim's parents, accompanied by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, intended to reach the secretariat to seek justice for their daughter. However, near Park Street, the police allegedly resorted to a baton charge to disperse the crowd. The victim's mother claimed that police personnel assaulted her without provocation, resulting in injuries and the breaking of her bangles. She questioned the police's actions, stating, "Why are they stopping us? All we want is to reach the secretariat and ask for justice for my daughter".
Video footage from the event reportedly shows the victim's parents requesting permission from the police to proceed while standing behind barricades. The mother sustained injuries, including a swelling on her forehead, and was hospitalized along with her husband.
However, Kolkata Police have denied the allegations of assault. According to Joint CP (Headquarters) Meeraj Khalid, the police have not found any video or photographic evidence to confirm that the mother was assaulted by a member of the force and have requested the media to provide any such evidence if available. Despite the denial, the police have stated that they are investigating how the mother sustained her injuries. The complaint filed by the father has been formally accepted by the New Market Police Station, and an inquiry is currently underway.
The case dates back to August 9, 2024, when the 31-year-old trainee doctor was found dead inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. A postmortem examination confirmed that she was throttled and smothered. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was convicted of rape and murder by a CBI court earlier this year and sentenced to life imprisonment.
The incident sparked nationwide protests and raised concerns about the safety of doctors, particularly women, in hospitals. While the conviction of the accused brought some closure, the victim's family believes that a larger conspiracy was involved and that the investigation has not been fully completed. They have met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the CBI Director to discuss the alleged incompletion of the investigation.
The first anniversary of the tragedy has seen renewed protests and calls for improved सुरक्षा measures in hospitals. Despite assurances from the government, many doctors claim that adequate safety measures have not been implemented. There are reports of rising violence against doctors, especially women, highlighting the urgent need for better security in healthcare facilities.
