The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the Kolkata PG doctor rape and murder case and issued notice to authorities with the West Bengal government. The Commission directed authorities to submit a report within two weeks on remedial measures taken.
In a statement, NHRC said, “The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report carried on 9th August, 2024 that a junior woman doctor was found dead at the Seminar Hall of the Kolkata’s state-run RG Kar Medical College & Hospital on 9th August, 2024. Reportedly, the body of the deceased bore scratch marks, indicating that there was some struggle at the time of the incident. The family has reportedly alleged that the victim was raped and murdered.”
The Commission observed that if the report is true, it raises a “serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim”. “NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, West Bengal calling for a detailed report in the matter within two weeks,” it said.
The Commission said the report is expected to include the current status of the police probe in the case and action taken against responsible persons. The Commission also enquired whether any compensation was paid to the kin of the victim and measures taken to avert such incidents in the future.
The victim, 31, was found dead on Friday morning around 7.30am at the third floor seminar hall of the hospital with multiple injuries. A judicial inquest has found injuries in the private parts while there was bleeding from both her eyes and mouth. Her collarbone was broken and injuries were found in her neck, belly and limbs.
Resident doctors across the country are protesting and have suspended elective services demanding a fair probe into the case
The move comes as a two-member team from the National Commission for Women is visiting the hospital and interacting with police officials to assess the progress of the probe in the case.
