The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has sought a thorough investigation, punishment of the culprits, a detailed inquiry into the conditions enabling the crime, and urgent safety to improve the safety of doctors, especially women, in a press release over the RG Kar Medical College Hospital incident.
A woman doctor was found dead on the hospital premises, sparking nationwide outrage. The autopsy report in the case revealed that the doctor was sexually assaulted before murder, and bleeding from several parts of her body, including private parts.
“The entire medical fraternity of India is shocked beyond words at the brutal murder of Ms Moumtia Debnath a 2nd year PG student of R G Kar Medical College Kolkatta. This heinous crime has been committed inside the seminar hall on the 3rd floor of the campus. There are reasons to believe that she was raped before the murder. This crime is an index of the anarchy and insecurity prevailing on the campus,” the statement released by the IMA 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
“IMA Hqs mourns the death of this precious daughter of India and condemns the existing situations which enabled this crime to be committed with impunity inside the campus,” the press release read. “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 also highlighted the case of a young female resident doctor who was recently stabbed to death in a Taluk Hospital in Kerala, underscoring the increasingly toxic work environment for doctors, particularly women. This incident, the IMA said, underlines the vulnerability of doctors to violence due to the nature of their profession, and authorities must ensure their safety within hospitals and campuses.
“We demand that the authorities act with precision and in time of 48 hours Falling which IMA will be constrained to initiate nationwide action. A fair, transparent and time-sensitive criminal investigation is in order. An ultimatum of two days is given to arrest culprits otherwise IMA will take Nationwide Protests,” the press release concluded.
Autopsy report confirms doctor was sexually assaulted before murder
A day after a semi-nude body of a PG trainee doctor was found inside the seminar hall of Kolkata’s government-run hospital, the preliminary post-mortem report has confirmed that she was raped before the murder. The four-page autopsy report revealed that the woman had bleeding from her private parts. Additionally, she also had injury marks on other parts of her body. Meanwhile, the police have arrested a suspect in connection with the case amid massive protests by junior doctors. The ruling opposition party, BJP, has demanded a CBI probe in this case.
News agency PTI has accessed a copy of the autopsy report. As per the PTI, the autopsy report states, “There was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth, injuries over the face, and a nail. The victim was also bleeding from her private parts. She also has injuries in her belly, left leg, neck, in her right hand, ring finger, and lips.”
The Police stated that the autopsy report had also ruled out suicide. Subsequently, they registered a case at the Tala Police Station. A police officer told PTI, “This is not a case of suicide; the woman was murdered following sexual assault.”
