Kolkata rape-murder lays bare 'medical education racket'

The role of Dr Sandip Ghosh, the principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has come under scrutiny.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

The recent rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has triggered significant outrage and protests across West Bengal and the country. The 31-year-old victim’s seminude body was found inside a seminar hall of RG Kar on 9 August, sparking national attention and outrage.

After initial investigation and examination of footage from the CCTV cameras installed on the hospital premises, Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer, identified as Sanjay Roy, who later admitted to his crime.

Before committing the crime, the accused allegedly consumed alcohol with a patient’s relative. Later, he entered a seminar hall in the hospital where the victim was resting. According to CCTV footage and as per the crime timeline, he exited the hall about 45 minutes later.

The accused, who was arrested in an intoxicated condition from outside the hospital, has been sent to police custody until 23 August and many high-rank ing officials of the RG Kar have been suspended for negligence in the matter. West Bengal Chief Minister

Mamata Banerjee vowed to seek the death penalty for the culprit and assured a fasttracked trial. After meeting the family of the deceased doctor on 12 August, she said: “I still don’t understand how this happened when the hospital had its own security too. The parents [of the victim] told me someone from inside could be involved. I’ve told the police to speak to everybody, her friends and the person who called the family first and find out... If the police cannot crack this by Sunday (18 August), since this could be an inside job, we will hand over the case to the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), though their success rate is low.”