The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance of the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud is set to hear the matter on Tuesday, following widespread national outrage.
The incident, which occurred on August 9, has ignited protests and strikes by medical professionals across the country, calling attention to the safety and security of healthcare workers, particularly women, in their workplaces. The case, which is already under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has brought to light serious concerns about the handling of such crimes by state authorities.
The victim, a trainee doctor at the state-run hospital, was found brutally assaulted and murdered in the hospital’s seminar hall. In connection with the crime, a civic volunteer stationed at the hospital has been detained. However, the victim’s family and protestors allege that the crime involved gang rape and are demanding a thorough investigation to ensure that all those responsible are held accountable.
An autopsy has confirmed that the victim was sexually assaulted before her death, further fueling the public outcry. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the country’s largest body of doctors, has been at the forefront of the demand for justice. On Saturday, the IMA called for a nationwide strike, halting all non-essential medical services for 24 hours.
In response to the escalating demands for justice, thousands of women participated in “Reclaim The Night” marches on Wednesday night, taking to the streets across the country to protest and demand accountability for the crime.
The CBI has also begun a psychological assessment of Sanjay Roy, the accused in the case. A team of psychological and behavioral analysts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Delhi has arrived in Kolkata to conduct the necessary tests as part of the ongoing investigation.
