Kolkata doctor rape case: In response to the ongoing protests by doctors, nursing staff, and others over the alleged rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the Union Home Ministry has instructed all state police forces to submit situation reports every two hours.
In a communication to the state police forces, the home ministry said that the law and order situation of all states should be monitored in view of the protests, PTI reported.
“Henceforth, a continuous two-hourly law and order situation report in this regard may kindly be sent to the MHA control room (New Delhi) by Fax/ Email/ WhatsApp from 1600 hours today,” the communication sent on Friday said.
On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. A civic volunteer of Kolkata Police was arrested in connection with the crime the next day. The Calcutta High Court handed over the case to the CBI on Tuesday.
A group of people entered the premises of the hospital shortly after Wednesday midnight during protests by women against the rape-murder incident and vandalised portions of the medical facility.
Doctors and other medical staff have been protesting in different parts of the country affecting the functioning of health facilities. They are pressing for a central law to check violence against healthcare personnel, declaring hospitals safe zones with mandatory security entitlements among other demands.
The case has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation from the state police following an order from the Calcutta High Court.
On August 9, a postgraduate trainee doctor was reportedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, triggering nationwide strikes and protests by the medical community.
On Wednesday, a mob vandalized the protest site and the hospital campus at RG Kar, leading security personnel to disperse the crowd.
In response to the ongoing unrest, the Kolkata Police have imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (formerly Section 144 of the CrPC), around the Medical College and Hospital. This restriction will be in effect for seven days, starting from Sunday.
(With inputs from agencies)