Police on Saturday arrested a man identified as Sanjoy Roy in connection with the death of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.
A murder case was registered and rape charges have been added. Kolkata police have formed a special investigation team to probe the case.
The 31-year-old doctor was found dead at a seminar hall in the hospital on Friday morning. According to an inquest report, the body was found with multiple injuries and blood, and was only partially clothed.
The incident has triggered a major protest in the hospital, with many doctors ceasing work to demand a thorough probe. On Saturday, doctors from other medical colleges have also joined the protest. Police sources said the accused, Sanjoy Roy, was arrested on the basis of CCTV footage from the hospital.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “The incident is unfortunate and despicable. It feels like a personal loss to me. Their [doctors] anger and demands are justified and I support it.”
“I was in Jhargram yesterday, but I was keeping track of all the developments. I spoke to the family of the victim and assured them of proper action in this case. I have directed that the case should be placed before a fast-track court. If needed, the accused will be hanged, even though I am not pro-capital punishment. But they should be given the strictest punishment,” she added.
The deceased doctor’s father told reporters Friday that he had talked to his daughter on the previous day at 11 pm. “She sounded very normal. I am shocked… She was lying half naked. We suspect she has been raped and murdered,” he said.
Advertisement
According to hospital sources, the doctor was on duty until 2 am on Friday. The hospital has set up two panels to look into the matter – one for internal inquiry and another for postmortem.
According to a TMC leader, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke to the family and assured all help and support to them. Additionally, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen promised a “thorough and fair investigation into the case”.
“We will ensure that the truth will prevail. If anyone is found involved, strict action will be taken,” Sen said.
