Kolkata, August 12, 2024 — The West Bengal government has transferred the Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata following the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor on the hospital premises. The incident, which occurred early Friday morning, has ignited widespread protests among the medical community across West Bengal.
As reported by ANI, a government order issued on Sunday by the Director of Medical Education, West Bengal, stated that Prof. Dr. Sanjay Vashisth, the current Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal (MSVP) at RG Kar Medical College, has been reassigned as a Professor in the Department of Physiology at Calcutta National Medical College. Prof. Dr. Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, currently a Professor of Physiology at RG Kar Medical College, has been appointed as the new MSVP at the institution.
The alleged rape and murder of the female doctor have led to intense protests by junior doctors, postgraduate trainees, and other medical staff, demanding stricter action against those responsible. These protests have severely disrupted services in government hospitals across West Bengal. In response, the state health department has canceled all leave and holidays for senior doctors to address the shortage of personnel as outpatient services resume on Monday.
Medical associations and hospitals nationwide have shown solidarity with the protesting doctors in Kolkata. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association of India (FORDA) has called for a nationwide suspension of elective services in hospitals on Monday. Additionally, the West Bengal Doctors Forum has written to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to establish an impartial inquiry committee to investigate the alleged rape and murder. The forum has also demanded capital punishment for the accused and called for enhanced security measures for healthcare workers across the state.
The Kolkata Police have arrested a suspect, identified as Sanjay Roy, a volunteer with the police force, in connection with the alleged crime. A case of rape and murder has been registered, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established to investigate the incident.
The final post-mortem examination report is awaited to conclude the investigation. However, preliminary autopsy findings indicate that the victim was allegedly sexually assaulted before being strangled and smothered to death. Severe bleeding was observed in her private parts, eyes, and mouth, along with injuries across her body.
The alleged incident has raised significant concerns about the safety of medical professionals in West Bengal, leading to widespread calls for justice and systemic reforms.
