close
close

Kolkata murder case LIVE: West Bengal govt cancels order to transfer 42 doctors

Kolkata murder case LIVE: West Bengal govt cancels order to transfer 42 doctors

Medical students and residents protesting at the AIIMS, Bathinda, OPD on Saturday. (Sanjeev Kumar/HT)

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is holding a nationwide strike (except non-emergency medical services) for 24 hours, a protest that began at 6 am on Saturday, to protest the rape and murder of a woman doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The IMA is also demanding a thorough and timely investigation into the crime and the identification and punishment of those involved in the hospital vandalism on the night of August 15.…Read More

What to expect during the nationwide doctors’ strike:

• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a nationwide strike from 6 am on Saturday, August 17, until 6 a.m. on Sunday, August 18.

• Most hospital departments, including routine outpatient services (OPDs) and elective surgeries, will be closed over the weekend.

• Essential services, such as emergency care and critical treatments, will remain available and operate as usual.

• Casualty departments will be open to address any urgent medical situations.

• The strike will impact both public and private hospitals where modern medicine doctors are employed.

Follow all the updates here:

Aug 17, 2024 9:41 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: West Bengal govt cancels doctors’ transfer

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “Today, news is being published about the transfer of 42 doctors. Our West Bengal government has almost 24 medical colleges. Apart from that, there are many specialized institutes in which there are more than 6000 doctors. In West Bengal, their promotional exercise of Medical Education Service, their routine transfer exercise is a very long process. This process started 2 months before this incident. Its approval was also done a lot of days before this incident. But we have to do a lot of checking on it. Therefore, it is possible that its publication got delayed…But looking at the situation here right now, we have to keep the service completely normal everywhere. Therefore, we have cancelled this order right now. After this, any further decision about it will be taken after a few days,” says Narayan Swaroop Nigam, Principal Secretary, Health, West Bengal.

Aug 17, 2024 9:03 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Experts sent for psycho-analysis test of accused

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: CBI has sent a team of experts from CFSL Delhi to Kolkata to conduct a psycho-analysis test on the accused Sanjay Roy; officials.

Aug 17, 2024 8:53 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: ‘CBI should work fast for justice,’ says Sitaram Yechury

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “This is a very barbaric act, we strongly condemn it. There should be a thorough investigation into this case. Justice should be done and the culprit should get the harshest punishment. CBI should work fast,” said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

Aug 17, 2024 8:36 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: CBI team leaves from RG Kar Hospital

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: CBI Team leaves from THE RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after examination of the crime scene.

Aug 17, 2024 8:10 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Union minister Chouhan says ‘jungle raj’ in West Bengal

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “The chief minister should be ashamed that such an incident happened and those who were protesting against it were attacked for the protest. Mamataji has become ‘nirmam’ (ruthless) in West Bengal. There is jungle raj. The situation should change. The victim should get justice, and the accused should be punished,” said agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Aug 17, 2024 7:59 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: IMA writes to PM Modi

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: In a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi, Indian Medical Association lists five solutions/demands in the case.

Aug 17, 2024 7:19 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Transfer of doctors ‘routine’, says Calcutta Medical College principal

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Speaking on the transfer of doctors from various medical colleges and hospitals across West Bengal amid the nationwide uproar over the Kolkata hospital rape-murder case, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital rincipal Dr Indranil Biswas said that the orders were ‘routine.’

Aug 17, 2024 6:31 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Nirbhaya’s mother calls for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “Mamata Banerjee is protesting to divert people’s attention from this issue. She herself is a woman. She should have taken strict action against the culprits while discharging her responsibility as the head of the state. She should resign because she has failed to handle the situation,” Asha Devi said. Read more

Aug 17, 2024 6:09 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Jharkhand CM urges doctors to resume work

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “”No matter how much the incident in Bengal is condemned, it is less. The Bengal government and the agencies of the central government are working hard to ensure that the culprits are punished as severely as possible,” Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren said in a post on X.

“”I would like to appeal to all the doctors in the state that your government stands with you in this hour of grief, but the treatment of patients is also very important. Please return to work and give your meaningful cooperation in making the patients healthy,” he added.

Aug 17, 2024 5:35 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: What is the 2013 Kamduni case?

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: The June 2013 gang rape and murder of a student in West Bengal’s Kamduni is in the spotlight amid protests over the August 9 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the state capital. Read more

Aug 17, 2024 4:56 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Mayawati urges parties to ‘rise above politics’

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “In its defense, the TMC government is trying to give the incident a religious and political colur; the opposition is no different on this front. It is important to worry about how the culprits will get strict punishment and the victim’s family, justice,’ former Uttar Pradesh CM Mayawati on X (formerly Twitter).

Aug 17, 2024 4:27 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Akhilesh Yadav speaks on rape-murder case

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “Mamata Banerjee herself is a woman and understands the pain of a woman. She has taken action as per demand. The government has also decided to get the matter investigated by CBI or any other institution. But along with this, the people of the Bharatiya Janata Party should not do politics. BJP should not take political advantage from the incidents,” says Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Aug 17, 2024 3:58 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Students protest in University of Dhaka

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Protest held under the banner “Awaaz Tolo Nari” (Raise Your Voice, Women), with demonstrators holdings placards with messages such as “Hang the Rapists”, “Am I Next?”, “Stop Violence”, and “Don’t Be an Alpha Male, Question What It Represents.”

Aug 17, 2024 3:29 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Indian doctors in UK write open letter

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “This incident is a symptom of rising violence against women and the negligence of the state towards its citizens. Instead of supporting doctors’ empowerment by creating safe workplaces and efficient judicial mechanisms, government leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, have historically indulged in victim-blaming and misogynist responses,” according to the open letter.

Aug 17, 2024 2:58 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Ex-RG Kar principal appears before CBI again

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, appears for questioning by CBI for the second straight day.

Aug 17, 2024 2:26 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: ABVP protests against West Bengal govt in Delhi

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: ABVP workers protest against West Bengal’s Trinamool government over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Aug 17, 2024 2:12 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Centre requests doctors to return to duty

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: “In view of the concerns expressed by FORDA, IMA and Resident Doctors’ Associations of Governmental Medical Colleges & Hospitals of Delhi, the Ministry assured them of constituting a Committee to suggest all such possible measures for ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals. Representatives of all stakeholders including the State Governments will be invited to share their suggestions with the Committee. The Ministry requested the agitating doctors to resume their duties in the larger public interest and in view of the rising cases of Dengue and Malaria: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Aug 17, 2024 1:59 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: ‘Deeply anguished,’ says R Madhavan

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Bollywood actor R Madhavan has expressed his profound outrage and despair at the brutal rape and murder case of a trainee doctor at a hospital in Kolkata that has sent shockwaves across the country, igniting a wave of protests and condemnation from various sectors.

Taking to his social media platform Madhavan penned a poignant note. “I’ve been trying to figure out what I need to say and how to say it.”

“If #Nirbhaya case has not had an impact and this brutal atrocity continues, then what HARSH steps need to be taken to put the fear of God in the perpetuators? My heart goes out to the family of the victim. There is nothing we can do or say to ever ease the pain of this tragedy for the rest of their lives,” the actor wrote.

Aug 17, 2024 1:47 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: CBI should interrogate everyone from the hospital’s administration, says protester

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: On the RG Kar rape-murder incident, Post Graduate Teacher Dr Arif Ahmed Laskar said, “CBI should interrogate everyone from the administration that were present during the incident. If anyone is found guilty, we demand their arrest and prosecution as per law. We have asked for the resignation of the officials in the administration and they should not be posted in any other administrative position…We want justice…”

Aug 17, 2024 12:59 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: What NCW found at hospital

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has alleged that the site at the RG Medical College and Hospital where the 31-year-old trainee woman doctor was raped and murdered underwent sudden renovations, potentially leading to tampering with evidence. Read more.

Aug 17, 2024 12:35 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: TMC stands for Taliban Mujhe Chahiye, says Shehzad Poonawalla

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Regarding the rape and murder of a female resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla said, “The entire country is outraged and demands justice. However, instead of delivering justice, the Trinamool Congress government seems focused on protecting the rapists rather than the victims. TMC doesn’t stand for Trinamool Congress; it’s become synonymous with ‘Taliban Mujhe Chahiye’ (I want the Taliban).”

Aug 17, 2024 12:14 PM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Case filed against Gujarat doctor for brandishing pistol during protest

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: A case has been registered against a doctor in Amreli city, Gujarat, for allegedly brandishing his licensed pistol while addressing a protest against the Kolkata rape-murder case, police said on Saturday.

The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Friday at Rajkamal Chowk, where medical students and doctors had gathered for a candle march. Dr. GJ Gajera, a private practitioner, reportedly displayed his pistol “to create fear among the public,” according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chirag Desai.

Aug 17, 2024 11:46 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: CBI team reaches RG Kar Hospital

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrived at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to investigate the rape and murder of the female doctor.

Aug 17, 2024 11:33 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Former R G Kar Hospital principal appears before CBI for second day

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Dr Sandip Ghosh, former principal of R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, appeared before the CBI on Saturday for questioning for the second consecutive day in connection with the rape and murder of a doctor.

On Friday, the CBI escorted Ghosh for questioning, which lasted until 3 am on Saturday. He was kept at the CBI’s city office in the CGO Complex until 9.30 pm before the questioning began, according to an officer.

Ghosh returned to the CBI office a little before 10:30 am on Saturday for his second round of examination.

Aug 17, 2024 11:16 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Doctors in Karnataka hold protest

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Karnataka joined the nationwide protest on Saturday, condemning the rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata. In Bengaluru, over 1,000 doctors participated in a protest at the IMA office in Chamarajpet.

IMA Karnataka unit president Srinivasa S told PTI that branches across the state will remain closed, with no OPD services available. He emphasised that the doctors demand justice for the young doctor and called for a central law to protect medical professionals, saying, “What happened to her is totally unacceptable. We don’t want any political involvement. Doctors, like other professionals, work in sensitive areas, and we need a law to safeguard them.”

Aug 17, 2024 11:07 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Karnataka health minister raises concern over safety of hospital staff

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao expressed concern over the safety of hospital staff, especially women.

“This is a serious issue. Hospitals must provide a safe environment for their workers, particularly women. I’ve scheduled a meeting on Tuesday with all associations, including doctors and nurses, to discuss existing laws, potential improvements, and safety protocols. While doctors have the right to protest, it’s important that patient care isn’t compromised, and everyone agreed on this,” Rao said.

Aug 17, 2024 10:43 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Safety of medical staff is national issue, says Kiren Rijiju

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Union minister Kiren Rijiju called the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata a nationwide concern.

“The safety of medical staff is not just a local issue; it’s a matter of national importance. This incident in West Bengal has raised serious concerns about security, not only for doctors and nurses but for society as a whole. The general public is understandably agitated,” Rijiju said.

Aug 17, 2024 10:42 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Have faith in CBI’s investigation, says Sukanta Majumdar

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: West Bengal BJP president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday urged trust in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as it investigates the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

“The CBI is handling the investigation, and we should have faith in its ability to conduct a thorough probe. However, it’s crucial that the crime scene remains untouched to preserve evidence. In cases of murder and rape, biological evidence is critical, and its integrity must be maintained,” Majumdar said.

Aug 17, 2024 10:20 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Healthcare services affected nationwide

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Healthcare services across West Bengal were disrupted on Saturday as doctors joined their junior colleagues in a strike, demanding justice for the rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Outpatient services at both government and private hospitals were severely affected as doctors also protested the August 14 vandalism at RG Kar MCH.

“Our agitation will continue. This is the only way to get our demands fulfilled. How can people enter the hospital and attack us even with the police present? The actual motive behind the vandalism is clear,” said a protesting doctor.

Non-essential services at state-run hospitals like SSKM, Sambhunath Pandit, and Calcutta National Medical College, as well as private healthcare facilities, were significantly impacted by the strike.

Aug 17, 2024 10:01 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: OPD services at RG Kar Hospital remain shut

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: OPD services at RG Kar Hospital remain shut for the 8th day as protests continue demanding justice for the victim.

Aug 17, 2024 9:59 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Security beefed up at AIIMS-Patna

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Security has been strengthened at AIIMS-Patna following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, an official said on Saturday.

AIIMS-Patna executive director Dr Gopal Krushna Pal told PTI that the hospital will deploy additional female security guards and install 150 more CCTV cameras on campus.

“Although our campus already has a robust security system with ample personnel, including women guards, and extensive CCTV coverage, we are enhancing these measures in response to the Kolkata incident,” he said.

Dr. Pal added that the proposal to boost security is under urgent consideration to ensure a safe environment for female doctors, students, and patients.

Aug 17, 2024 9:40 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: Lucknow hospitals struck by doctors strike

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: In support of the 24-hour medical shutdown call given by Indian Medical Association, the IMA members in state capital kept their eatablishments closed since morning on Saturday.

Resident doctors and interns took out a march on Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (Civil) hospital while teachers association at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences has also supported the call by deciding not to conduct OPD and elective surgery for the day. PGI gets at least 700 new patients in its OPD in a day. Lucknow has over 2,500 IMA members and in state number is over 32,000.

Aug 17, 2024 9:20 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: BJP Mahila Morcha holds silent candle march

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: BJP Mahila Morcha, led by its national president Vanathi Srinivasan, held a silent candle march outside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The march was attended by Mahila Morcha national office bearers, including Rajya Sabha MPs Darshan Singh, Sangeeta Yadav, Geeta Shakya, Indu Bala Coswami, and West Bengal in-charge Pooja Kapil Mishra.

Speaking to the media, Vanathi Srinivasan criticised the state government, stating, “Despite having a woman Chief Minister, the sisters and daughters of West Bengal are not safe. It is with deep sadness and outrage that I urge the Chief Minister to address the horrific rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.”

Aug 17, 2024 8:49 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: BJP calls for Mamata Banerjee’s resignations

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

He said that the Calcutta High Court’s decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI shows a lack of faith in the state government and police. Poonawalla demanded Mamata Banerjee to take responsibility and resign, claiming she no longer has the moral, legal, or constitutional authority to remain as chief minister.

Aug 17, 2024 8:19 AM IST

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates: NCW report points several lapses at state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital

Kolkata murder case LIVE Updates:

• The NCW has revealed lapses in security, infrastructure, and the investigation surrounding the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

• Inadequate Security: The incident occurred when there were no security guards present and insufficient security coverage for on-call interns, doctors, and nurses during night shifts.

• Poor Facilities: The hospital lacks basic amenities for female staff, including poorly maintained washrooms, inadequate security measures, and insufficient lighting.

• Incomplete Investigation: The questioning of the former Principal, who resigned after the incident, remains incomplete. The Committee calls for a thorough and expedited investigation.

• Lack of Protection: There is inadequate safety and protection for on-call female interns, nurses, and doctors.

Aug 17, 2024 7:52 AM IST

Kolkata news LIVE: ‘What could be a bigger drama?’ BJP MP slams Mamata Banerjee’s protest rally

Kolkata news LIVE: BJP MP Sangeeta Yadav criticised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, questioning, “What could be a bigger drama than the person in power leading a protest rally?”

Commenting on Banerjee’s rally regarding the RG Kar rape-murder case, Yadav stated that Banerjee should take moral responsibility and resign.

“This is a case involving a woman, and the Chief Minister is also a woman. She should resign and ensure a thorough investigation. The culprits must face the harshest punishment, setting a precedent not just in West Bengal but across the country,” Yadav said.

Aug 17, 2024 7:48 AM IST

Kolkata news LIVE: Why are doctors protesting?

Aug 17, 2024 6:58 AM IST

Kolkata news LIVE: ‘Vandalism at RG Kar was done by CPIM and BJP,’ says Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata news LIVE: Following the vandalism at the protest site at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on the eve of the 78th Independence Day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being responsible for the incident.

While addressing a rally on Friday, where she urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to expedite the probe into the matter, Banerjee stated, “I know the vandalism at RG Kar was orchestrated by CPIM and BJP. Despite all this drama, the protest continues. I salute the protestors; I have nothing more to say; they have done the right thing.”

Aug 17, 2024 6:16 AM IST

Kolkata news LIVE: ‘Who, if not her, is accountable?’ Shaina NC slams Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata news LIVE: BJP leader Shaina NC criticised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, questioning her “dual stance” on the recent incident. Shaina NC said, “Law and order is a state subject. Mamata Banerjee, who is both the chief minister and home minister, first called the incident a tragic accident and demanded the death penalty for the culprits, but then claimed everyone was responsible. Who, if not her, is accountable?”

She added, “The vandalism at RG Kar Medical College suggests tampering with evidence. Banerjee’s protest today raises the question: against whom is she protesting when she holds all key positions in the state? The TMC government’s handling of the Kolkata rape case has further deepened the rift between the government and our medical community seeking justice.”

Aug 17, 2024 6:12 AM IST

Kolkata news LIVE: ‘Mamata Banerjee is protesting against her own govt, says Sukanta Majumdar

Kolkata news LIVE: Commenting on the rally led by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Union minister Sukanta Majumdar questioned, “Mamata Banerjee is the chief minister, home minister, and health minister, so who was she protesting against in her own rally? She is trying to suppress the BJP, but we assure her that this movement will not stop, and our protest will continue.”

Aug 17, 2024 6:10 AM IST

Kolkata news LIVE: Mamata Banerjee is trying to create a chaotic situation, says Nityanand Rai

Kolkata news LIVE: Union minister Nityanand Rai on Friday criticised West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly creating chaos in the state and attempting to distract from a rape case by labelling it a suicide.

Speaking to ANI, Rai said, “Those responsible for maintaining law and order are themselves protesting. This indicates that Mamata Banerjee is trying to create a chaotic situation. Her government’s efforts to divert attention from the rape case by calling it a suicide are deeply troubling.”

Aug 17, 2024 6:05 AM IST

Kolkata news LIVE: Doctors go on nationwide strike

Kolkata news LIVE: The IMA has announced a 24-hour nationwide withdrawal of non-emergency medical services starting at 6am on August 17 to protest the rape and murder of a resident doctor at a Kolkata hospital.