Kolkata Doctor Rape and Murder Case Live Updates: Doctors’ 24-hour nationwide strike underway

#News Bureau August 17,2024

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a 24-hour nationwide strike in protest against the rape and murder of a woman doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The strike began at 6 am today and will continue until 6 am on Sunday, August 18. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women’s (NCW) two-member Inquiry Committee has submitted a preliminary report highlighting “inadequate security, poor facilities, improper investigation, and lack of protection” at the hospital.

What’s open and what’s closed during the IMA strike? The strike involves a 24-hour withdrawal of non-emergency health services. Routine outpatient departments (OPDs) will not be operational, and elective surgeries will be postponed. The withdrawal affects all sectors where modern medicine doctors provide services, according to the IMA. However, essential services and emergency care will continue to be available, with casualties being attended to, as per the IMA’s statement. The medical community across the country is united in support, and the IMA is calling for swift justice for the victim and punishment for those involved in the hospital vandalism.

Status of the investigation: A CBI team is currently investigating the case after it was transferred from Kolkata Police by the Calcutta High Court on August 13. So far, it has been revealed that Sanjay Roy, the accused, had been reported by his wife for assault at Khalighat police station prior to the incident. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during a rally on Friday, accused political opponents of spreading fake news to obscure the truth. She claimed that CPI(M) and BJP members vandalized RG Kar Hospital to destroy evidence and demanded the death penalty for the main accused.