KOLKATA: Hundreds and thousands of doctors and paramedics across the country in almost all states joined in nationwide protests over the entire week following the gruesome rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor who was found dead in the hospital seminar room on August 9 at the state-run Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The supposedly botched-up investigation and apathy of the state police, which first declared the horrifying incident as a case of unnatural death and could not achieve any major breakthrough, led the High Court to transfer the probe to the CBI. The horrific details of the crime inflicted on the lady doctor that have emerged since the incident have shocked the medical fraternity beyond belief.

The autopsy report has revealed chilling facts about the crime, documenting extensive injuries to the victim doctor's body, all inflicted before death, which was ruled a homicide. Key findings of the report have revealed telltale signs of gang rape and torture, indicating that more than one person could have been involved, as initially suggested by the Kolkata police, which apart from arresting Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer and the alleged main suspect, could do very little.

The CBI is now working from several angles to comprehend the main culprits. So far, they have interrogated dozens of people and are hopeful of apprehending the real culprits very soon.

Various medical associations and doctors' unions, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), have written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding better safety and security in state-run hospitals. The IMA is specifically calling for hospitals to be declared as safe zones with mandatory security entitlements and deployment of security personnel.

The irony of the fact is West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is supposed to lead the law and order of the state and ensure that the victim gets justice expeditiously, on Friday led a protest rally from Moulali to Dorina crossing in Kolkata, demanding justice for a woman doctor. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance. A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will hear the matter on August 20.