Kolkata: Woman Doctor Found Dead At State-Run Hospital; BJP Accuses Bengal Govt Of 'Hiding Crime', Stages Protest

BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that the Mamata Banerjee-led government was trying to "hide the crime" and asking Kolkata police to show the incident as a case of suicide.

A woman PGT doctor's body was found at a Kolkata hospital in semi-nude condition with injury marks.

Kolkata: A woman post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor was found dead inside the seminar hall of government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Friday, the police said. Her father alleged that she was raped and murdered at the hospital and efforts are on to hide the truth. The incident has sparked protests from the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal, slamming the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led government for "hiding the crime".

The deceased, a second-year student of the hospital's chest medicine department was on duty on Thursday night. Hospital sources told news agency PTI that the body was found in a semi-nude condition by fellow students at the Emergency building's seminar hall. Police officials said that her body bore injury marks on the cheeks, lips, around her nose, in between eyebrows, and the neck, revealing that was some sort of struggle, news agency PTI reported.

He also said that the post-mortem examination report would help ascertain whether she was sexually assaulted and to understand how she was killed. 

Five people, who were on duty with her, are being interrogated by the police.

A senior member of the Association of Health Service Doctors, Manas Gumta, alleged that there were attempts to suppress the matter.

"She also had dinner with her juniors at around 2 AM then went to the seminar room since there is no separate on-call room to take some rest. In the morning, we found her body there," a doctor of the hospital told PTI.

A senior police officer stated: "We are talking to doctors, nurses and others who were on duty with her last night. The matter is being investigated." 

City Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and other officers visited the spot and met with senior officials of the hospital.

A hospital official stated that a three-member panel was constituted by the authorities to probe into the doctor's death. 

CM Mamata Banerjee reportedly spoke to the victim's parents over phone and assured them of assured action against those involved, PTI reported.

"I am quite sure that my daughter was raped before she was murdered. The injury marks on her body are evident. She was found semi-naked. Efforts are on to hide the truth. I do not understand why they (hospital authorities) are delaying the investigation.The body was sent for post-mortem examination," PTI quoted the victim's father as saying.

Gumta, who alleged attempts to suppress the matter, said: "This is unprecedented and never happened in Bengal. The most unfortunate thing is that now there are attempts to suppress fact and make it look like a case of suicide. The post-mortem examination should be conducted on camera by an expert not associated with the hospital." 

Meanwhile, the former secretary of the Association demanded suspension of the Principal of the medical college. 

BJP Protests Outside Hospital

As the incident was brought to light, the BJP West Bengal workers staged a protest outside the hospital, demanding action in the matter. The members of All India Democratic Studets Organisation were also present at the protest.

VIDEO | Members of All India Democratic Students Organisation and BJP workers staged a protest after body of female post-graduate trainee doctor was found in the seminar hall of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

STORY | Body of female post-graduate trainee doctor… pic.twitter.com/or6v85ix44

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 9, 2024

Work was stopped at the hospital as several student associations took out a rally demanding a prompt probe into the doctor's death and arrest of the culprits. All departments have been closed, except for the emergency ward. 

The students of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital also took out a candle march in the city later in the evening.

#WATCH | Medical student found dead RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata | Students of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital take out a candle march in the city. pic.twitter.com/a5j6SIt1MG

— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2024

'Mamata Banerjee Govt Trying To Hide Crime'

BJP leader Amit Malviya hit out at the Mamata Banerjee-led government for "hiding the crime" and asking Kolkata Police to cover up the incident and protray it as suicide.

"A woman doctor, in a leading Govt hospital in Kolkata, raped and murdered. Her naked body found from the duty room. Mamata Banerjee Govt is trying to hide the crime. Kolkata Police has been asked to cover up, show it as suicide. Media is not being allowed in," Malviya tweeted.

"Repeat: no woman, from Sandeshkhali to Chopra, is safe in West Bengal," he added.

The BJP leader also shared visuals from protests outside the hospital and wrote on X: "BJP West Bengal protests outside RG Kar Hospital, one of Kolkata’s busiest, after a lady doctor was raped and murdered in the premise. Mamata Banerjee’s administration is using Kolkata Police to hush up the matter despite hospital authorities confirming trauma injury marks. How long will Bengal turn a blind eye to crimes against women?"

BJP West Bengal protests outside RG Kar Hospital, one of Kolkata’s busiest, after a lady doctor was raped and murdered in the premise.
Mamata Banerjee’s administration is using Kolkata Police to hush up the matter despite hospital authorities confirming trauma injury marks.
How… https://t.co/DXl3xlBdue pic.twitter.com/DVafFhXve9

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 9, 2024

Meanwhile, TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh said that the post-mortem was underway and that specialised doctors will be observing it.

'Capital Punishment Will Be Given To Criminals': TMC

He further said that he spoke to CM Banerjee who has extended her full support for the probe. 

"I am sad that such a thing is happening to a girl. Everything will be revealed when criminals who have done this are caught. So, CP, Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and all senior officers of the Police force are here...Yes, CM too spoke. She has extended her full support (into the investigation). Capital punishment will be given to the criminals. She has posted me here," he said.

"I am sad that this has happened in my area...There is CCTV everywhere in the hospital...But hospital authority will give a clarification...Truth will come out after postmortem...Assault has indeed happened...Something major happened to her. Her parents are calling it heinous murder. I too call it a brutal murder," the TMC MLA added.