Kolkata: The family of the 31-year-old doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was initially told that their daughter had died by suicide, according to a report by Anandabazaar Patrika. The victim’s father shared that he received a call on Friday morning from the assistant superintendent of the chest medicine department, who stated, “Your daughter died by suicide.” However, when the family arrived at the hospital, they discovered the tragic reality of the brutal crime.
Speaking to the media, the father disclosed that the official who contacted him did not reveal his name. The family was left in shock upon seeing the condition of their daughter’s body. Relatives also shared their heartbreaking experience with Lallantop, stating that the parents had pleaded with the hospital authorities for hours to see their daughter’s face. Despite their pleas, they were made to wait for three hours before being allowed access.
“When they finally let the father see her, he was only permitted to take a picture. She had no clothes on her body, her legs were 90 degrees apart… this cannot happen unless the pelvic girdle breaks, which means she was torn apart,” a relative told Lallantop.
The West Bengal Doctors’ Forum has since raised concerns about potential evidence tampering. A letter sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claimed that construction work had begun near the site where the doctor’s body was found, which they believe could hinder the investigation. The letter, signed by Dr. Koushik Chaki and Dr. Sanjoy Holme Chowdhury, urged authorities to ensure that justice is served.
The victim, a post-graduate trainee doctor, was found with severe injuries in the seminar hall of the chest department. According to an initial autopsy, she had been subjected to a brutal sexual assault.
In light of the crime, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose held an emergency meeting with vice-chancellors from around the state, urging them to enhance security measures on campuses. A Raj Bhavan source stated that the governor expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the case by the Kolkata Police and emphasized the importance of protecting female students and staff at educational institutions.
On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court ordered that the investigation into the alleged rape and murder be transferred to the CBI. The court’s decision follows widespread protests by junior doctors, which have severely disrupted healthcare services across state-run hospitals for five consecutive days. Protesting medical staff have called for a thorough investigation and justice for their slain colleague.
(With inputs from agencies)
