What began as a seemingly ordinary August day in Kolkata soon turned into a national outrage, as the rape and murder of a medical professional at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in 2024 ignited widespread protests and calls for improved security for healthcare workers. The horrific crime not only sparked public outcry but also raised critical concerns about the safety of women in the medical profession.

The incident quickly became a flashpoint for political strife, with the West Bengal government facing intense pressure. Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, highlighting deeper issues related to law enforcement and governance. The tragedy also brought attention to the “threat culture” pervasive in medical institutions, which many believe contributed to the brutal killing of the post-graduate trainee.

Financial irregularities involving hospital officials and law enforcement came under scrutiny, further complicating the case. Within hours, protests erupted across Bengal as junior doctors, house staff, interns, and other medical personnel, along with various organizations and political parties, took to the streets to demand justice.

When the victim’s parents were told by RG Kar hospital officials that their daughter had died by suicide, they immediately rushed to the hospital, but were allegedly blocked by police from viewing her body. Her father rejected the suicide claim, stating, “We last spoke to her around 11 pm on August 8. It’s clear she was murdered. Her body was found in a semi-nude state.”

The victim’s parents accused the Kolkata Police and local TMC leaders of obstructing them from attending her cremation. The family, along with protesters, insisted that the crime involved multiple perpetrators, not just one.

On August 10, Kolkata Police arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, in connection with the rape and murder of the 31-year-old medic. However, the arrest did little to calm the outrage. Protesters, including the victim’s family, continued to demand a broader investigation.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case, following petitions from the victim’s parents and public interest litigations. The Supreme Court also took suo motu cognizance of the matter, with a three-judge bench led by former Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud criticizing the mishandling of the case by both the state government and police.

Protesters held RG Kar hospital’s superintendent, Sandeep Ghosh, accountable for the murder, claiming that the doctor had been killed because she had uncovered malpractices at the hospital. Demonstrators also demanded the resignation of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goel, accusing him of negligence. Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s pleas to resume work, the protests intensified, with rallies across the state calling for justice.

In response to mounting pressure, the state health department removed Sandeep Ghosh from his position as the hospital principal. The post-mortem report confirmed that the victim had been assaulted before being strangled.

The CBI arrested Ghosh after several days of questioning, along with Tala Police Station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal, for tampering with evidence and delaying the filing of the FIR. Following the Calcutta High Court’s orders, the CBI filed an FIR against Ghosh and three private entities in Kolkata, accusing them of criminal conspiracy, bribery, and cheating.

In the course of the investigation, the CBI charged Ghosh with murder, although he remained in judicial custody for a separate corruption case. Meanwhile, junior doctors continued their protests, calling for the removal of state health secretary N S Nigam and demanding action against Goel. They held demonstrations outside the health department headquarters and even met with Police Commissioner Vineet Goel to demand his resignation.

In September, the West Bengal government introduced the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill,’ which amended central laws to better protect women and children from sexual crimes, making the state the first to do so.

As protests continued, the state government eventually removed Goel from his position, but junior doctors maintained their ‘ceasework,’ calling for systemic reforms in the healthcare sector. After 50 days of unrest, the Chief Minister assured the medics that their demands would be addressed, leading to the cessation of the ‘ceasework’ on October 4.

The unrest, however, did not end there. Medics launched an indefinite hunger strike, demanding justice for the victim and reforms in the healthcare system. The hunger strike concluded after the Chief Minister promised the formation of a task force by March 2025.

In the meantime, the CBI filed a chargesheet, naming the civic volunteer as the prime accused in the rape-murder case. However, despite the start of trials, the CBI failed to file a chargesheet on the financial irregularities case within the mandated 90 days. Both Ghosh and Mondal were granted bail.

This failure to hold accountable those involved in financial misconduct sparked renewed protests from doctors, who accused the CBI of shielding the actual perpetrators. The victim’s parents also petitioned the Calcutta High Court for a fresh investigation, vowing to continue their fight for justice.

Also read: RG Kar case: Bill for capital punishment for convicted rapists in Bengal, says Mamata