Protests by Doctors Over Bail of Accused in Rape and Murder of Trainee Doctor; Demand for CBI to File Chargesheet

Doctors in West Bengal have launched a strike following the bail of the accused in the rape and murder case of an on-duty trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. The accused were granted bail after the CBI failed to file a chargesheet within the mandatory 90-day period.

The West Bengal Joint Doctors’ Forum (WBJDF) has announced a protest in Kolkata starting from December 26, demanding that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) immediately file a supplementary chargesheet in the case. The protest will take place at Dorina Crossing with the support of five trade unions.

Protest Demands and Preparations
Dr. Punya Brata Gun, Joint Coordinator of WBJDF, emphasized that the forum has officially sought permission from the Police Commissioner to hold the protest. He also requested police authorities to ensure the safety of all participants during the demonstration. The protest aims to pressure the CBI into expediting the investigation and filing the chargesheet against the accused.

Background of the Case
The incident occurred on August 9, when the body of an on-duty female doctor was found at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. The case sparked national outrage and drew international attention, with calls for justice growing louder from civil society, women’s rights groups, and the medical fraternity.

The Sealdah court recently granted bail to two key accused in the case — former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College, Sandeep Ghosh, and former in-charge of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mandal. The bail was granted as the CBI failed to submit a chargesheet within the legally mandated 90-day period.

Doctors’ Outrage
The WBJDF and the medical community have expressed strong displeasure over the bail decision, calling it a “failure of justice.” They demand that the CBI expedite the submission of the chargesheet and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are held accountable.

The incident has once again raised questions about the safety of women in the medical profession and the efficiency of the legal system in handling sensitive cases. Doctors have warned of continued protests if their demands are not met, emphasizing the need for swift justice in such high-profile cases.