Former president of Bengal Doctors Forum calls for thorough investigation

Calcutta (West Bengal) [India]September 2 (ANI): Dr Arjun Dasgupta, former president of West Bengal Doctors Forum and senior ENT surgeon, alleged that there was a cover-up attempt in connection with the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG KAR Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata and demanded a thorough investigation into the case.

“We want justice,” Dr Dasgupta told ANI on Monday, adding, “There is a feeling that a great injustice is happening here. One of our major demands is a thorough investigation by a sitting judge, which we have achieved through the intervention of the Calcutta High Court. The Supreme Court has handed over the case to the CBI, which is its prerogative. However, the Supreme Court has also shown keen interest and a three-judge bench is now monitoring the case. Our demands still stand.” Highlighting three major concerns, Dr Dasgupta said, “The CBI is doing its job. The Calcutta Police arrested one person on the first day and he is still in custody. So that is a given. But the feeling of a conspiracy behind it, we had three questions essentially. First, who, one or more people who did it should be arrested. Second, what was the situation at RG Kar Hospital that enabled these miscreants or these horrible people to do such a thing? I mean, nobody will have the courage to do something like this anywhere. So where did they get the courage if there is something behind it? And thirdly, what we doctors have suspected from day one is a cover-up attempt, which should also be thoroughly investigated.” Stressing that these matters need urgent attention to ensure justice, he also expressed frustration over the delay in updates from the CBI or the state police regarding the investigation.

“It has already been 21 days. We need answers. In all high-profile cases, the police or the CBI hold press conferences and give their progress report. So we have not received anything for 22 days. This is a big pain. I understand that this is a very sensitive case. This is a very politically sensitive case. So probably everyone is looking at all the legal parameters and the legal implications of this case and they should take this into consideration,” he said while talking to ANI.

“It is no longer the doctors. All the people across the country. The doctors were on the streets. Nothing has changed in Kolkata and West Bengal. In fact, the agony and anger are increasing day by day,” added Dr Dasgupta.

The former president of the West Bengal Doctors' Forum also made allegations against corruption and malpractice in the Bengali healthcare system, with RG Kar Hospital at the centre.

“We, the Doctors' Forum, are fighting against the healthcare mafia and the nexus in most parts of the Bengali healthcare system, in hospitals and medical colleges. So there were allegations of money being exchanged for pass marks or for honours marks and there was postings and transfers. So there was a huge next step and its epicentre was RG Kar and this guy called Sandeep Ghosh. So we spoke out against him and he tried to silence the people who were against him. He fought against two interns to whom he did not give their internship completion certificate. They had to go to court and someone from our organisation stood by them and they were able to complete their internship. So there was a criminal – as you said, it is a criminal nexus – who was very active in RG Kar,” he alleged.

Dr Dasgupta further urged the Supreme Court and the CBI to look into the alleged cover-up. “And our sincere request to the Supreme Court, indeed our demand to the Supreme Court and the CBI is that you bring out the whole truth, no matter how big it is. What was the next step here? Why is everyone trying to hide things? We really need to know that answer,” he said.

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar room of RG Kar Hospital on August 9. The incident sparked nationwide protests. Doctors demanded justice for the victim and increased security measures for medical staff. The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case from the Kolkata police following a direction from the Kolkata High Court. Sanjoy Roy, a volunteer at the hospital, has been arrested in connection with the incident. (ANI)