West Bengal Crisis: Strike Over Doctor’s Tragic Death Claims 23 Lives

NEW DELHI:
The West Bengal government informed the Supreme Court on Monday that 23 individuals have lost their lives amid a doctors’ strike protesting the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate medic at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Representing the West Bengal government, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted a status report from the state health department to a bench led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud.

‘A status report has been filed. The state health department has filed a report. Twenty-three people have died due to the doctors’ strike,’ Sibal informed the bench, which also included Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the status reports submitted by both the state and the CBI as the hearing proceeds.

On August 22, the apex court severely criticized the Kolkata Police for the delay in registering the unnatural death of the woman doctor, who was found raped and murdered at the hospital, describing the situation as ‘extremely disturbing.’ The court questioned the series of events and timing of the procedural steps taken.

Previously, the top court had established a 10-member National Task Force (NTF) to develop a protocol to ensure the safety and security of doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Calling the incident ‘horrific,’ the Supreme Court condemned the state government’s delay in filing the FIR and allowing thousands to vandalize the state-run facility.

The junior doctor’s alleged rape and murder in the hospital’s seminar hall ignited nationwide protests. Her body, marked with severe injuries, was discovered in the hospital’s chest department on August 9. The next day, the Kolkata Police arrested a civic volunteer related to the case.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which began its probe on August 14.