Kolkata Trainee Doctor Was Sexually Assaulted Before Murder: Police

The post-mortem of the woman trainee doctor, who was found dead at a state-run hospital in Kolkata on Friday, has confirmed that she was sexually assaulted before being murdered, a senior police official said today. 

The second-year post-graduate medical student reportedly had a late dinner on Thursday after which she went to study in the seminar hall on the third floor of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The 31-year-old was seen in an unconscious state the next morning.

A case of rape and murder has been registered and a person has been arrested, Vineet Kumar Goyal, Kolkata Police Commissioner, told reporters.

"A board of three doctors conducted the post-mortem examination. The whole procedure was documented through videography. Students and family members were present as witnesses during the post-mortem proceedings," Mr Goyal told reporters.

"There were signs of sexual assault," he added.

According to sources, there were injuries on the woman's private parts, face, lips, neck, stomach, fingers, and ankle.

Mr Goyal also said that a person has been arrested for his alleged involvement. 

"For us, he is the criminal of the highest order. We will see to it that he gets the punishment of the highest order," he said, adding that they have "strong" evidence against him. 

The man is reportedly an outsider who had free access to the departments of the hospital.

Meanwhile, junior doctors at various hospitals in West Bengal held protests today, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved in the case.

Mamata Banerjee Assures Action

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called the incident “unfortunate and despicable” and said the anger of her colleagues was justified.

“I spoke to the victim's family and assured them of proper action. I have directed for the case to be taken to a fast-track court. If needed, the accused will be hanged, even though I am not pro-capital punishment. They should be given the strictest punishment,” she told a local TV channel.

She also urged the protesting doctors not to ignore the patients.

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari Demands CBI Enquiry

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the death of the trainee doctor. 

"The body of the second-year postgraduate student at RG Kar Medical College, found dead inside the Seminar Hall on the 3rd floor of the emergency building under mysterious circumstances, reportedly had injury marks. Unconfirmed reports suggest signs of strangulation and traces of seminal fluid. This appears to be a clear case of murder, possibly involving rape. The case should be immediately transferred to the CBI," he posted on X on Friday.

Criticizing the Mamata Banerjee-led government, he said, "Instead of addressing the issue seriously, the State Government has formed an 11-member inquiry committee, which bizarrely includes some interns. It seems the government is either trying to cover up its negligence or is not taking this matter seriously."

The body of the second-year Postgraduate Student of RG Kar Medical College, who was found dead inside the Seminar Hall on the 3rd floor of the emergency building inside the campus under mysterious circumstances, reportedly had injury marks.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that there… pic.twitter.com/IWOa03R6BR

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) August 9, 2024

Mr Adhikari urged the student community, especially medical students, to protest "vigorously" against the State Government's "complacent attitude". 

Ms Banerjee has said she has no objection to demands for a central agency probe since the administration has “nothing to hide”.