The association also demanded a thorough investigation into the "heinous crime" and punishment for the culprits
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday issued a statement on the alleged murder and sexual assault of a woman trainee doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata, stating that if safety cannot be ensured in ‘citadels of learning,’ it reflects ‘incompetency of the administration.’
“If safety and security cannot be ensured in the citadels of learning it only indicates the incompetency of the administration. The entire medical fraternity of India stands with the bereaved family and her colleagues,” the IMA said in a statement.
The IMA further noted that this crime reflects the anarchy and insecurity prevailing on campus.
“The entire medical fraternity of India is shocked beyond words at the brutal murder of Ms. Moumtia Debnath, a second-year PG student at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata,” it said.
RG Kar Medical College and Hospital incident | We demand that the authorities act with precision and in time of 48 hours failing which IMA will be constrained to initiate nationwide action. A fair, transparent and time-sensitive criminal investigation is in order. An ultimatum of… pic.twitter.com/8x9QlLoJMF— ANI (@ANI) August 10, 2024
The association also demanded a thorough investigation into the “heinous crime” and punishment for the culprits.
“We demand that the authorities act with precision and in time of 48 hours failing which IMA will be constrained to initiate nationwide action, the statement added.
The 31-year-old postgraduate trainee’s semi-nude body was discovered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday. The victim, a second-year student in the chest medicine department, had been on duty the previous night. Her body showed signs of injury, and the preliminary autopsy report indicated that she had been sexually abused before being killed.
Mass protests have erupted across the state in response to the trainee doctor’s murder. Junior doctors, house staff, interns, and postgraduate trainees from various hospitals in West Bengal staged sit-ins and processions, demanding exemplary punishment for those involved.
Protests were held at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, and National Medical College and Hospital, and Medical College, in Kolkata.
Reports have also emerged of a scuffle between police and protesting doctors outside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Will Seek Death Penalty For Accused: Mamata
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly condemned the murder of the woman trainee doctor, stating that her government will seek the death penalty for the accused.
Describing the incident as gruesome and despicable, Banerjee directed officials to ensure the case is tried in a fast-track court.
The TMC chief further sated that the West Bengal government has no objections to an investigation by any agency, including the CBI, should there be a demand for it.
Top Cop Confirms Sexual Assault
Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal confirmed that the student was a victim of sexual assault. He said that an SIT has been formed by the police to probe the matter.
Goyal assured that the police would ensure the accused receives “the highest punishment” if found guilty.
“This is a heinous crime, and the arrested person is allegedly involved based on circumstantial evidence, including accounts of the other doctors present during night-duty hours,” Goyal stated.
So far, the police have arrested one individual in connection with the case. According to authorities, the arrested man, an outsider, had unrestricted access to the different departments of the hospital. Additionally, two intern doctors were also questioned on Friday night as part of the ongoing investigation.
West Bengal Governor Demands Immediate Action
The West Bengal Raj Bhavan Media Cell, in a post on X, stated that Governor CV Ananda Bose has asked the Mamata-led state government to take immediate action in the matter and submit a report. Additionally, Bose has taken up the matter with the central government for appropriate action.
“A delegation of National Medicos Organisastion (NMO) West Bengal called on HG and submitted a representation expressing deep anguish and protest on the murder of a 2nd year Post Graduate female Resident of R. G. Kar Medical College. The deputation demanded proper security for those on duty, especially the female medical practitioners during the night,” the post stated.
