Kolkata doctor murder case: IMA gives 2-day ultimatum to initiate impartial probe, warns of protest

NEW DELHI: The brutal murder of Moumtia Debnath, a second year PG student of RG Kar Medical College Kolkata, has left the nation in shock. The Kolkata city court today ordered a 14-day police remand for the accused arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a woman postgraduate trainee doctor. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) warned of nation-wide protest if the culprits are not arrested in two days.

The woman's body was discovered inside the seminar hall of the government-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in north Kolkata on Friday. A preliminary autopsy report confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted before being killed.

The accused, charged under sections 64 (rape) and 103 (murder) of the BNS, was presented before the Sealdah court after his arrest earlier in the day. The judge granted the prosecution's request for a 14-day police remand till August 23 for further questioning in connection with the crime.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemning the incident said: “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 Kolkata. 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.”

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“This crime is an index of the anarchy and insecurity prevailing in the campus. 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. 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 association expressed how ‘disturbing’ it is the increasing evidence of the toxic environment prevailing in work places of doctors. “Not long ago another young resident woman doctor was stabbed to death in the casualty of a Taluk Hospital in Kerala…Doctors especially women are vulnerable to violence because of the nature of the profession. It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses,” the IMA added.

IMA demanded an “impartial thorough investigation of the case and punishment of the culprits”. They further demanded a detailed enquiry into the conditions enabling the crime and urgent the officials to take urgent steps to improve the safety of doctors especially women in the workplace.

“We demand that the authorities act with precision and in time of 48 hours Failing which IMA will be constrained to initiate nation wide 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 nation-wide Protests,” the doctors said.