The Kolkata Police has intensified its investigation into the tragic death of a trainee doctor at the government-run RG Kar Hospital. The Assistant Superintendent and the Head of the Department (HoD) of the Chest Medicine Wing have been summoned for questioning, marking a significant step in the inquiry. The Assistant Superintendent, who was the first to inform the victim's family that she had allegedly died by suicide, is scheduled to appear at the Kolkata Police headquarters on Tuesday, August 13, at 11 am.
This development follows the earlier questioning of seven junior doctors, including interns, house staff, and postgraduate trainees. These individuals were on duty the night of the incident and had reportedly shared dinner with the 31-year-old trainee doctor just hours before she was found dead. The victim’s body was discovered in a seminar hall at the hospital on the morning of August 9, and the circumstances surrounding her death have since raised serious concerns.
The police have already arrested a civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the crime. Roy has been charged under Sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the BNS and was produced before the Sealdah court, which remanded him to police custody until August 23.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the medical community and beyond, leading to significant administrative changes at RG Kar Hospital. Earlier in the day, the Principal of the hospital, Sandip Ghosh, resigned from his post and government service amid growing backlash over the handling of the case. This resignation followed the West Bengal government's decision to remove Medical Superintendent-cum-Vice-Principal Sanjay Vashisth from his position. Bulbul Mukhopadhyay, the dean of student affairs, has taken over additional responsibilities as the new superintendent.
The four-page autopsy report of the victim has further deepened the gravity of the case, revealing disturbing details. The report indicated that the victim had suffered extensive injuries, including bleeding from her private parts, eyes, and mouth, and multiple injuries on various parts of her body, suggesting a brutal assault. The report also pointed to signs of sexual penetration and suggested that the victim was killed by throttling and smothering between 3 am and 5 am on Friday morning.
As the investigation continues, more doctors from RG Kar Hospital may be summoned for questioning, as the police seek to uncover the full extent of the events leading up to the trainee doctor’s death. The case has drawn widespread attention and outrage, with demands for justice growing louder as more details emerge.
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