In the wake of the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging for urgent reforms to tackle the increasing number of rape cases across the country. The Chief Minister’s letter highlights the alarming statistic of nearly 90 rapes occurring daily in India, which she says undermines public confidence and societal values.
The incident, which occurred on August 9, has sparked widespread protests and strikes among doctors nationwide, drawing attention to the severe issues surrounding safety in the medical field and the justice system’s response to such crimes.
Banerjee’s letter calls for the implementation of stringent central legislation with severe penalties for perpetrators of rape and related crimes. She advocates for the establishment of fast-track special courts to ensure swift trials, proposing that cases should ideally be concluded within 15 days to deliver prompt justice.
The Supreme Court has also intervened, describing the Kolkata Police’s delay in addressing the case as “extremely disturbing.” It has set up a National Task Force to improve working conditions for healthcare professionals and directed the Centre and state governments to take immediate steps to ensure their safety.
The Supreme Court has instructed the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Health to collaborate with state chief secretaries and police officials to enhance the security of medical personnel. Additionally, the court has allowed peaceful protests over the incident and mandated that these should not be obstructed by the West Bengal government.
On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation from Kolkata Police to the CBI, which began its inquiry on August 14. A civic police volunteer, Sanjoy Roy, was arrested in connection with the case the day after the doctor’s body was discovered, but no further arrests have been made.
In response to the ongoing protests, the Bengal Health Department has removed three senior officials from RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, including the Principal and Vice Principal, addressing the demands of the protesting junior doctors and medical students.
