Kolkata Doctor’s rape and murder case (Dr. Moumita Debnath), a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, has sent shockwaves across the nation. The 31-year-old’s semi-nude body was discovered in a seminar hall on the college campus on August 9, 2024, with multiple injuries, including cuts on her hands, face, and genitals.
Postmortem Reports Reveals Shocking Details
The postmortem report has revealed that Dr. Debnath was subjected to gang rape, with around 150 mg of semen found in her vaginal swab. The extent of her injuries led the doctors who performed the autopsy and her parents to suspect that she may have been raped by multiple perpetrators.
Colleagues Raise “Big Fish” Theory
Some of Dr. Debnath’s colleagues have raised apprehensions that she may have been targeted because she knew too much. A colleague questioned how the main accused, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer associated with the hospital, knew that the doctor was alone in the seminar hall. The colleague alleged that Roy could be part of a plot hatched by “a big fish”.
Protests Demand Justice and Security Measures
The incident has triggered outrage across the nation, especially within the medical community. Student unions and colleagues of the deceased have been staging protests, demanding justice and improved security measures on campus. The Indian Medical Association and the Junior Doctors Network have written to the Kolkata Police Commissioner, echoing similar demands.
TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy Joins Protest
Amid the growing outrage, senior Trinamool Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy has announced that he will join the midnight protest to seek justice for Dr. Debnath and her parents. In a tweet, Roy stated, “Tomorrow I am going to join the protesters particularly because I have a daughter and little granddaughter like millions of Bengali families. We must rise to the occasion. Enough of cruelty against women. Let’s resist together. Come what may.”
Victim Mocked Online by Some Social Media Users
The incident has also sparked outrage on social media, with many users expressing their anger and demanding justice for Dr. Debnath. However, some social media users have resorted to mocking and abusing the victim online.
Similarities to the IIT Kharagpur Murder Case
The case has drawn comparisons to the murder of IIT Kharagpur student Faizan Ahmed in 2022. Initially, Faizan’s death was reported as a suicide, but after the interventions of the Calcutta High Court and a second postmortem, it was confirmed that he had been brutally murdered. Rehana Ahmed, Faizan’s mother, has severely criticized the Bengal Police for their alleged inaction in the RG Kar Medical College case.
Demands for a CBI Investigation and Strict Punishment
The medical community is calling for a CBI investigation and strict punishment for those responsible. Manas Gupta, former General Secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors, has demanded a high-level or judicial investigation, alleging that the police are attempting to frame the case as a suicide. He insists that an expert team from outside the college should oversee the postmortem.
Conclusion
The brutal rape and murder of Dr. Moumita Debnath has once again highlighted the pressing need for improved safety measures and justice for victims of sexual violence in India. The case has sparked nationwide outrage, with protests demanding accountability and strict punishment for the perpetrators. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether the “big fish” theory raised by Dr. Debnath’s colleagues will be thoroughly explored, and if the authorities will ensure a fair and transparent probe into her tragic death.
