On August 10, 2024, Kolkata, widely known as the "City of Joy," was engulfed in mass protests following the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old female junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital. Her body was discovered in a seminar room, with the attack believed to have occurred on the night of August 9, 2024. Sanjoy Roy, a civic police officer, was arrested as the prime suspect. The incident triggered widespread demonstrations by doctors and medical students, creating an apolitical wave of outrage surpassing Kolkata’s typically politically charged protests.
I. Public Outrage and Protests
In a show of solidarity, Rimjhim Singha, a psychology student from Jadavpur University, organized a "Reclaim the Night" protest on August 15, 2024, coinciding with India's Independence Day. This movement rapidly gained traction among women across West Bengal. On August 14, 2024, a massive crowd of men and women took to the streets in Kolkata and other areas of the state, surpassing the scale of recent political rallies.
II. Response from the Medical Community
The protests led to a cease-work strike by medical students and doctors. The situation escalated on August 14, 2024, when vandals ransacked the R.G. Kar Medical College, including the area where the doctor’s body was found. This act was seen as an assault on the medical community and an attempt to tamper with crucial evidence.
III. Legal Action and Investigations
1. Calcutta High Court Intervention:
In response to a public interest litigation (PIL), a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, comprising Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe on September 5, 2024. The CBI subsequently arrested Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the then-principal of R.G. Kar Medical College, on charges including misconduct, illegal organ trade, mishandling human remains, and involvement in a sex racket.
2. Supreme Court Directives:
The Supreme Court of India took suo moto cognizance of the case. A division bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra issued several directives:
- Deployment of CISF: Security personnel were ordered to ensure the safety of doctors at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital (August 20, 2024).
- Cease-Work Strike: Directed junior doctors to end their strike, emphasizing the critical role of government hospitals (August 20, 2024).
- Investigation Status Report: The CBI was instructed to submit a status report by September 5, 2024 (August 20, 2024).
- Investigation Irregularities: Criticism of the West Bengal government for delays and irregularities in the investigation, including a 14-hour delay in FIR registration and missing challan for the post-mortem (September 9, 2024).
IV. Conclusion
The brutal rape and murder at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital has deeply shocked Kolkata and raised serious concerns about the safety of medical professionals and institutional integrity in upholding law and order. The ongoing legal actions and public outcry reflect a critical need for reform and vigilance to ensure justice and safety for all.
