Kolkata, August 10, 2024: In a horrifying incident that has shaken the medical community, Dr. Moumita Debnath, a second-year postgraduate trainee pursuing an MD in Chest Medicine at R G Kar Medical College, was found naked, brutally raped, and murdered on campus. The crime took place in the seminar hall on the third floor, where Dr. Debnath had gone to rest after a 36-hour on-call duty.
The inquest report reveals the spine chilling brutality of the crime, with evidence of broken bones, vaginal bleeding, and severe injuries to her face, neck, and back. Dr. Debnath, who had no access to a designated doctor’s room for rest, had gone out for dinner with her iuniors around 2 a.m. before returning to the seminar room to rest for two hours. Disturbingly, no CCTV footage was found, raising serious concerns about security on campus.
In a statement that has sparked widespread outrage, the Principal of R G Kar Medical College attributed the incident to Dr. Debnath’s “irresponsibility” for staying alone at night, further fueling the anger and frustration within the medical community.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has condemned the horrific crime and criticized the lack of safety and security measures at the college. They emphasized that this incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that medical professionals, especially women, face their workplaces. The IMA has called for immediate action, demanding:
- A thorough and impartial investigation into the case, with swift and severe punishment for those responsible.
- A detailed inquiry into the conditions that allowed this crime to occur, including the lack of basic facilities such as a doctor’s room.
- Urgent steps to improve the safety and working conditions of doctors, particularly women, in hospitals and educational institutions.
The IMA has given authorities an
ultimatum of 48 hours to take decisive action, warning that failure to do so will result in nationwide protests. The association insists on a fair, transparent, and prompt investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
This tragic incident follows a similar case in Kerala, where a young resident doctor was stabbed to death,
highlighting the increasing vulnerability of doctors to violence in their workplaces. The IMA has urged all medical professionals to stand together in demanding justice for Dr. Debnath and better protection for all doctors across the country.
