A man has been charged for the rape and murder of a resident doctor during a night shift at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, India. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleges that the man, a civic volunteer with Kolkata police, was out drinking with a friend on the afternoon of August 8 before returning to the hospital where he found the female doctor asleep on a mattress.
The doctor's body was discovered the following day with multiple injuries and signs of sexual assault in a seminar hall at the hospital. The attack occurred while the doctor trainee was resting in a seminar room during a night shift. The CBI has charged the man under sections of Indian law related to rape, causing the death of a woman, and murder.
Evidence presented by the CBI includes CCTV footage of the man at the hospital during the incident and DNA found on the victim that matches the suspect's DNA. This case has sparked nationwide protests in India, highlighting the country's pervasive issue with gender violence.
Following the incident, hundreds of thousands of doctors participated in protests demanding justice and improved safety measures for women, especially healthcare workers. Junior doctors in Kolkata went on strike for over 40 days, and some have resumed their strike, citing inadequate government response to their demands.
Medical bodies across states have expressed support for the protests, calling for expedited court proceedings and the establishment of a protective committee for health workers. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) announced plans for a hunger strike to draw attention to the need for stronger protective measures for healthcare professionals.
Despite legal reforms enacted after the infamous 2012 gang-rape case in New Delhi, rape cases continue to be prevalent in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 31,516 rape cases were recorded in 2022, averaging 86 cases per day. Experts caution that these figures may not reflect the true extent of the issue due to underreporting and delays in the justice system.
The ongoing protests underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard women and healthcare workers in India and to ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.
