Kolkata trainee doctor sexually assaulted, murdered; CM Mamata Banerjee promises strict action

The post-mortem of a female trainee doctor found dead at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the Indian city of Kolkata has confirmed that she was sexually assaulted before being murdered, media reports said while citing a senior police official on Saturday (August 10).

The 31-year-old, a second-year post-graduate medical student, was last seen studying in the seminar hall on the third floor of the state-run hospital late Thursday (August 8) night. She was discovered unconscious the following morning.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal confirmed that a case of rape and murder has been registered, and one person has been arrested in connection with the crime. 

“A board of three doctors conducted the post-mortem examination, which was fully documented through videography. Students and family members were present as witnesses during the proceedings,” Goyal said.

Goyal further added that the post-mortem revealed signs of sexual assault, with injuries found on the victim’s private parts, face, lips, neck, stomach, fingers, and ankle. “For us, he is the criminal of the highest order. We will ensure he receives the strictest punishment,” he said, adding that the police have “strong” evidence against the suspect.

The arrested individual is reportedly an outsider with unrestricted access to various hospital departments.

In response to the incident, junior doctors across West Bengal staged protests on Saturday (August 10) and demanded exemplary punishment for those involved.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident as “unfortunate and despicable,” while addressing the anger among the victim’s colleagues. 

Speaking to a local TV channel, Banerjee assured that the case would be taken to a fast-track court and the accused would face the harshest possible punishment, including the death penalty if necessary. “I spoke to the victim’s family and assured them of proper action,” she said.

Banerjee also appealed to the protesting doctors to ensure patient care is not compromised during their demonstrations.

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the case. He raised concerns over the mysterious circumstances surrounding the trainee doctor’s death and slammed the state government’s handling of the investigation.

Also watch | Gaza crisis: ‘Violence, sexual assault’ in Israeli prisons

Adhikari took to X (formerly Twitter) and said, “The body of the second-year postgraduate student at RG Kar Medical College was found with injury marks. Unconfirmed reports suggest signs of strangulation and traces of seminal fluid. This appears to be a clear case of murder, possibly involving rape. The case should be immediately transferred to the CBI.”

(With inputs from agencies)

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}