KOLKATA: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team has arrived in Kolkata to assume responsibility for the investigation into the rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at a state-run medical college in the city. This move follows an order from the Calcutta High Court mandating a CBI probe into the tragic incident.
The CBI team, accompanied by a specialized medical and forensic unit from Delhi, will begin its investigation following the court’s directive on Tuesday. The High Court also instructed the Kolkata Police to promptly hand over all related documents and evidence to the CBI.
The crime, which occurred on August 9, has sparked widespread outrage, leading to nationwide protests within the medical community. Doctors and medical students at AIIMS Delhi staged a protest after the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) called for a nationwide shutdown of outpatient department (OPD) services starting Tuesday, in solidarity with the victim.
In response to the growing concerns about safety in medical institutions, the National Medical Commission (NMC), under the guidance of Union Health Minister JP Nadda, issued an advisory to all medical colleges and institutions. The advisory calls for the development of comprehensive policies to ensure a safe working environment for all staff, including faculty, medical students, and resident doctors.
The advisory highlights the need for enhanced safety measures in various parts of the campus, including OPDs, wards, casualty areas, hostels, and other open spaces. It also emphasizes the importance of well-lit corridors and campus areas in the evening, and the installation of CCTV cameras in sensitive locations for monitoring purposes.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda also met with a delegation from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Tuesday. The IMA has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crime and has urged for stronger measures to protect doctors, particularly women, in the workplace.
The victim, a post-graduate trainee doctor, was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, prompting widespread calls for justice and greater security within medical institutions.
