The brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 has sparked a wave of protests, legal actions, and nationwide unrest.
The incident, which initially saw attempts to label it as a suicide, has now become the focal point of intense public outrage, with growing demands for justice and accountability.
The situation escalated on August 27 when a large protest march, the 'Nabanna Abhijan,' led by Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj and Sangrami Joutha Mancha, erupted into violence. Protesters clashed with police across Kolkata and Howrah, breaking barricades and hurling stones, prompting police to respond with tear gas, water cannons, and lathi charges.
Amid the chaos, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe, conducting lie-detection tests on key suspects, including the main accused, Sanjay Roy, and investigating potential cover-ups by hospital staff and local police. The Supreme Court, having taken suo motu cognisance of the case, has highlighted serious lapses in the initial investigation and has ordered a comprehensive inquiry.
As protests continue to grow, demanding swift justice for the victim, the West Bengal government faces mounting pressure, with calls for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation growing louder amid accusations of administrative failure and attempts to suppress the truth.
Here's a timeline of what has transpired since the tragic incident:
August 9: The 31-year-old post-graduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG KAR Medical College and Hospital was raped and murdered. The victim was found dead with several injuries on her face and body, in the seminar hall of the hospital. Kolkata police arrived and the victim's parents were informed of the 'alleged suicide'. Later at night, an FIR was registered at Tala Police Station.
August 10: Kolkata police arrested accused Sanjay Roy in connection with rape and murder of the trainee doctor, after his 'prolonged examination and confession of guilt'. The autopsy report of the victim confirmed murder following sexual assault. Protests erupted after irregularities were found in the response of the college and administration's response. IMA and protesting doctors demanded immediate action.
August 11: Bengal government transferred the Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata over alleged lapses leading to the rape and murder of the trainee doctor inside the hospital premises.
August 12: Principal of RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, stepped down from his post following demands of his resignation. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) announces a nationwide halt to elective services as a mark of protest.
August 13: The Calcutta High Court took cognisance of the matter and ordered the former RG Kar Principal to take an extended leave. The CBI took over the investigation from the Kolkota Police and took custody of the accused.
August 14: A 25-member CBI team was formed and the probe was initiated. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a protest rally
August 15: A large group of unidentified men stormed into R G Kar Medical College Hospital and vandalised the emergency department and nursing station. IMA announces that there will be a nationwide withdrawal of services on August 17 for 24 hours, in protest against the rape and murder of the trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, as well as the “hooliganism unleashed on the protesting doctors on the eve of Independence Day.”
August 16: At least 19 people were arrested for vandalism at RG Kar Hospital. Kin of the victim alleged the involvement of several interns and physicians of RG Kar Hospital.
August 17: The Indian Medical Association sought the Prime Minister’s intervention and called for a one-day nationwide strike of doctors. The National Commission for Women (NCW) alleged that the incident site underwent sudden renovations. They said there were lapses in security and evidence was tampered with. Health Ministry requested the protesting doctors to resume duties and said it would form a committee to recommend measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals.
August 18: Nationwide protests demanding capital punishment for the accused grew. Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the incident and posted the matter for hearing on August 20.
August 19: CBI grilled ex-RG Kar Hospital Principal, Sandip Ghosh, for the fourth consecutive day. A local court granted CBI permission to conduct a polygraph test on the accused.
August 20: The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance of the matter. A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud constituted a 10-member task force to formulate a national protocol for ensuring the safety and security of doctors and asked the state government and Kolkata Police to submit a status report.
August 21: Kolkata police suspended three officers over vandalism at RG Kar Hospital. The Union government asked the CISF to take over security at RG Kar Hospital.
August 22: The Supreme Court reprimanded Kolkata Police for delay in taking action in the case. “How was it that the post-mortem was conducted at 6.10 pm on August 9, and yet the unnatural death information was sent to Tala police station at 11.30 pm on August 9? This is extremely disturbing,” the SC bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said on Thursday. The court asked the Assistant Superintendent of Police to be present in the next hearing and urged the protesting doctors to return to work. Following the Supreme Court’s request, the doctors called off the strike and returned to work. CBI sought a polygraph test on RG Kar hospital's former principal Sandip Ghosh and four other junior doctors, who were on duty on the date of the incident.
August 23: Resident doctors, including those of Centre-run AIIMS, RML Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Delhi government-run LNJP, Maulana Azad Medical College, GTB Hospital and Indira Gandhi Hospital, resumed duties. The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) took the decision after the Supreme Court issued directions about the safety of healthcare personnel. A special court in Kolkata allowed a polygraph test to be conducted on Sanjay Roy. Rallies and demonstrations were held in various parts of Kolkata, demanding a fast investigation into the case.
August 24: Lie-detection tests on the main accused and six others started. Polygraph tests on the main accused are to be conducted in prison, while the remaining six, including former principal Sandip Ghosh, four doctors who were on duty during the night of the incident and a civil volunteer, were to undergo tests at the agency's office.
August 25: CBI conducted the lie detection test on Sanjay Roy, at Kolkata's Presidency Jail. The CBI launched search operations on the premises of former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, ex-MSVP Sanjay Vashisth and 13 others in and around Kolkata in connection with their probe into alleged financial irregularities at the institute. Another team of CBI officers conducted searches at the ex-principal's office at the hospital and went to the canteen in the academic building.
August 26: The ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ march was called by Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj, to be carried out on August 27, seeking Mamata Banerjee’s resignation.
August 27: The protest march to Nabanna, West Bengal secretariat in Howrah, was carried out. Hundreds of processionists, mainly youths, commenced the 'Nabanna Abhijan' from two locations across the city, demanding CM's resignation. The rally, organised by student platform 'Chhatrasamaj' and 'Sangrami Joutha Mancha' of state government employees, began from two locations -- College Square in north Kolkata and Santragachi in Howrah.
It turned ugly as protestors broke barricades and pelted stones at the police personnel deployed in the city. Clashes broke out between police and protesters at MG Road, Hastings Road and areas near the Princep Ghat alongside Santragachi and Howrah Maidan in which some protesters as well as policemen were injured. Police fired teargas and resorted to water cannon and lathi charges to disperse the protesters.
CBI says it will send the DNA and forensic reports to AIIMS to seek their opinion on the case.
CBI has sought permission from Kolkata court to conduct a polygraph test on city police assistant sub-inspector Anup Dutta who was said to be close to Sanjay Roy. The CBI is exploring if Dutta helped Roy in any cover-up of the crime.
