Sealdah Court is expected to announce the verdict of the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor on January 18th, Saturday. As the country awaits justice, here is a look on all that has went down in the case so far.
On August 9th 2024, the semi-clad body of a trainee doctor was discovered in the seminar hall of the RG Kar Medical college and Hospital.
Medical examinations revealed the victim had sustained external and internal injuries from sexual assault and had been murdered. Shockingly, no FIR was lodged for 14 hours.
On August 10th, the Kolkata Police arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy after what they termed ‘a prolonged examination and confession of guilt’. On the same day, junior doctors launched a protest demanding justice for the victim. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to seek death penalty for the culprit.
After alleged lapses came to light, the West Bengal government transferred the Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College, Sanjay Vashisth on August 11. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association or FORDA announced their support to the protests in the state, calling for a nationwide strike.
On August 12th, Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee gave the hospital’s Principal a seven-day deadline to take appropriate steps in the case. Shortly after, Principal Sandip Ghosh, stepped down.
On August 13th, the Kolkata HC took cognisance of the matter. Protesting doctors were requested to resume services.
The National Human Rights Commision also took suo moto cognisance. After no significant progress was made, Kolkata High Court transferred the case to CBI. The accused was arrested by CBI.
The CBI formed a 25-member team to investigate the matter.
This was not the end of intrigue surrounding the case. On August 15th, a mob stormed into the hospital and vandalised the emergency department and nursing station. Following this, the Indian Medical Association called for a nationwide strike. On August 16th, about sixteen people were arrested in relation to the vandalism charges.
The National Commission for Women alleged evidence tampering. The Ministry of Health vowed to form a committee to look at security concerns for medical professionals.
On August 18th, the Supreme Court took Suo Moto cognisance of the case.
What were the charges against RG Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh?
The CBI was granted permission to conduct a polygraph test on Principal Sandip Ghosh.
The CISF was directed to ensure security at the hospital. The Kolkata Police also suspended three officers over vandalism.
On August 24, lie detection tests were conducted on main accused Sanjay Roy and six others.
In the next few days CBI raided Principal Sandip Ghosh, Superintendent Vashishth and 13 other’s houses.
On November 29th, the CBI filed the first charge sheet in the corruption and financial irregularities case in R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. Former principal Sandip Ghosh and student leader Ashish Pandey were among the five named in the charge sheet.
Despite several invites from the state government, protesting doctors rejected talks. Instead they demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s presence in the meeting along with live streaming.
What has the Supreme Court said in the case so far?
The first order that the Apex court gave in the case was the formulation of a special task force. The force was expected to form a protocol for the safety of doctors across the nation.
The West Bengal government and the Kolkata Police were also directed to submit a status report.
On 17th September, the Court reviewed the CBI’s updated status report. Since CBI’s findings were deeply disturbing, the court refused to disclose the findings to the public to maintain the integrity of the investigation.
The in-camera trial began in November.
During the case, corruption charges have been against Principal Sandip Ghosh, Superintendent and Sanjay Vashisth and others. The CBI has sought the death sentence for the main accused Sanjay Roy.
What have the victim’s parents said ahead of the verdict?
The parents of the victim have maintained that other persons were also involved in the crime. They also expect the other accused to be arrested and tried before the court.
