Junior doctors at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital held a protest on Friday, voicing frustration over the slow progress in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the rape and murder of their colleague. Led by the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum, the doctors expressed concerns that the investigation is not thoroughly examining the potential involvement of multiple suspects in the crime.
The recent CBI chargesheet named only one accused, a civil volunteer named Sanjay Roy. Forum spokesperson Debashis Halder raised serious concerns, questioning whether the investigation had sufficiently probed the roles of other individuals connected to the case, including former hospital principal Sandip Ghosh and other officials. “Media reports suggest that several others may be implicated,” Halder remarked. He criticized the limited scope of the chargesheet, stating that it “seems inadequate to bring justice.”
New Rallies And Events Planned Across Bengal
In response to the perceived shortcomings of the investigation, the Junior Doctors’ Forum announced a series of fresh protests. On November 9, they will lead a major rally in Kolkata, marching from College Square to Esplanade alongside members of civil society organizations. Similar rallies are planned throughout West Bengal, underscoring the widespread frustration felt by medical professionals and the public alike.
To further highlight their demands for justice, the forum has also planned a mass convention on November 9 at Rani Rashmoni Avenue in Kolkata’s Esplanade area. “We are calling on communities across Bengal to light lamps on November 4, symbolizing the call for justice and remembrance for our deceased colleague,” Halder added.
The murdered doctor was discovered inside a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, triggering an outcry among junior doctors and healthcare workers. Initially handled by local police, the case was later transferred to the CBI, who proceeded to arrest Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, and Abhijit Mondal, the now-suspended officer-in-charge of Tala Police Station. However, many junior doctors remain unsatisfied with the pace and thoroughness of the investigation.
On October 21, junior doctors ended a hunger strike that began on October 5, following assurances from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee pledged to address their concerns, which led to a temporary pause in protests. But, with lingering doubts over the investigation’s effectiveness, the doctors now plan to intensify their agitation.
Doubts Over Justice And Calls For Accountability
Halder, speaking on behalf of the junior doctors, emphasized that the current investigation could potentially allow key suspects to escape accountability. “The routine approach to the probe raises questions,” he stated, adding, “We demand to know the steps taken by the central agency against senior officials in the hospital, and whether they have engaged with higher-ups in the health department.”
Before Diwali, the junior doctors organized a rally to the CBI office in Kolkata, urging the agency to accelerate its probe. Now, with frustrations mounting, they feel compelled to take their demands to a wider audience. “The time has come to intensify our protests,” Halder declared, as the medical community continues its call for comprehensive action and justice.
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