Doctors Protest March in Response to Police Summons Over Trainee Doctor's Death

Doctors in Kolkata marched in protest following police summons to two senior physicians over comments on the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. The case has caused widespread outrage, leading to protests across multiple cities and the Supreme Court's intervention. Police have tightened security at RG Kar Medical College.

Doctors on Monday staged a protest march from Kolkata Medical College to the Police Headquarters following police summons to two senior physicians, Dr. Kunal Sarkar and Dr. Subarna Goswami. The summons pertained to their public comments on the recent rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor.

Speaking to ANI, Dr. Goswami described the summons as 'baseless' and announced that his lawyers, colleagues, and fellow doctors would accompany him to the police headquarters. 'Based on some baseless allegation, they have summoned me. My lawyers are going, my colleagues are going, and all the doctors are going. Let's see what they have to say,' Goswami told ANI.

This case has ignited widespread outrage and protests across various sectors, compelling the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, will hear the case on August 20. Protests have erupted in cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Kolkata as people demand justice for the victim and punishment for the accused.

Earlier, Calcutta High Court advocates marched in protest, while in Delhi, doctors from Maulana Azad Medical College and Northern Railway Central Hospital demonstrated outside Nirman Bhawan. Protests were also reported from Chandigarh and Mumbai, highlighting the nationwide outcry.

On August 18, football fans protesting near Salt Lake Stadium forced the cancellation of the Durand Cup match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Meanwhile, junior doctors and students persisted with their protests at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead on August 9.

On August 14, the protest site and hospital campus at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital were vandalised by a mob, prompting police intervention. To maintain law and order, Kolkata Police have imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, around the Medical College and Hospital from August 18 to August 24. (ANI)