RG Kar Doctor Death: The initial autopsy of a post-graduate trainee doctor in Kolkata, whose semi-nude body was discovered at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Friday, has indicated that she was sexually assaulted before being murdered, police confirmed. The police ruled out suicide, with a case now registered at the Tala Police Station. "This is definitely not a case of suicide; the woman was murdered following sexual assault," a police officer told news agency PTI.
A copy of the initial autopsy report, which PTI accessed, revealed that the woman suffered from multiple injuries, including bleeding from her private parts, eyes, mouth, and various parts of her body.
The four-page report detailed injuries on her face, neck, belly, left leg, right hand, ring finger, and lips. The autopsy, conducted on-camera, was witnessed by two women and the victim’s mother, PTI reported. A senior officer of Kolkata Police stated that the crime likely took place between 3 and 6 am. "Her neck bone was also found broken. It seems that she was first strangulated and then smothered to death. We are waiting for the full report of the autopsy, which will help us identify the culprits," he added, as quoted by PTI.
In response to the incident, the Kolkata Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that includes members from the homicide department and other units to probe the crime. Earlier, the woman’s father alleged that she was raped and murdered within the hospital premises, and expressed concerns over attempts to "hide the truth."
The deceased, a second-year student of the chest medicine department, was on duty the previous night. A hospital doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI, "She had dinner with her juniors around 2 am. She then went to the seminar room since there was no separate on-call room to take some rest. In the morning, we found her body there."
The authorities have interrogated five individuals who were on duty with the victim on Thursday night. Both Health Secretary NS Nigam and Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the hospital and held discussions with senior officials. The hospital administration has also formed a three-member panel to investigate the doctor’s death.
RG Kar Medical College: Protests Rock Kolkata To Demand Action And Transparent Probe
The incident has led to widespread unrest among the medical community. Post-graduate trainee doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital have halted work in all departments, except the emergency ward, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible. Various student associations have also organised rallies, calling for a swift investigation into her death.
Prominent political figures have weighed in on the incident, with BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul visiting the hospital and calling for an independent investigation under a magistrate. Meanwhile, ruling Trinamool Congress leader Santanu Sen asserted, "We want a fair, transparent, and thorough probe into the entire incident. The Mamata Banerjee administration has always been in favour of the safety and security of women."
Dr Manas Gumta, a senior member of the Association of Health Service Doctors, alleged that there were attempts to suppress the matter.
On Saturday, the police arrested one person in connection with the sexual assault and murder of the doctor. The accused, described as an outsider with suspicious activities and free access to various hospital departments, has been remanded to 14 days in police custody. According to a senior police officer, the arrest was made after a torn part of a Bluetooth earphone led them to the culprit. Other postgraduate trainees and female doctors also identified the suspect from CCTV footage captured in other parts of the hospital.
The police are now investigating whether the arrested individual had any accomplices. Two intern doctors were also questioned throughout Friday night in connection with the ongoing probe.