Kolkata: Several junior doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who have been at the forefront of protests following the August 9, 2024, rape and murder of a post-graduate trainee doctor, have been summoned by the police over allegations of misappropriating funds raised for the movement.
Allegations and Police Investigation
The cybercrime branch of Bidhan Nagar police launched a probe based on a complaint by Kolkata resident Raja Ghosh, who alleged that he did not receive a receipt for his ₹5,000 donation. Ghosh expressed concerns that the funds collected for the agitation might have been misused and called for an official investigation.
Of the seven junior doctors summoned on Saturday, only Aniket Mahato responded, attending the questioning via video conference. Mahato dismissed allegations of financial misconduct, stating that the movement initially used personal bank accounts before opening a dedicated account. He assured that audit reports were being prepared.
The police have not yet commented on the progress of the investigation.
Medical Council Scrutiny
The West Bengal Medical Council has also sought clarification from RG Kar Medical College regarding the attendance record of Kinjal Nanda, a prominent protest leader, to determine whether he has been meeting the mandatory 80% attendance requirement. Additionally, trainee doctor Asfaqullah Naiya is under scrutiny for allegedly misrepresenting himself as an MD (Doctor of Medicine) in a pamphlet promoting a health camp in Hooghly district.
Meanwhile, four senior government doctors actively supporting the movement have been accused of disrupting hospital operations.
Doctors Continue to Protest Despite Pressure
In response to the growing scrutiny, various senior doctors’ organizations have united under the Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, standing in solidarity with the junior doctors. On Sunday, they participated in a citizens’ rally in Kolkata, coinciding with the 32nd birth anniversary of the rape and murder victim. Her parents briefly attended the event, showing their support.
“The government’s pressure tactics cannot crush the movement,” said Dr. Punyabrata Gun, a convenor of the Joint Platform.
TMC’s Countermove
In what is seen as a countermeasure, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has revived its Progressive Health Association, appointing cabinet minister and doctor Shashi Panja as president. Several TMC legislators and MPs are part of the association, which held its first executive meeting on Saturday.
CBI Seeks Death Penalty for Convict
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which investigated the rape and murder case, has filed an appeal in the Calcutta High Court seeking the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, the only convict. Roy, 34, a civic volunteer with Kolkata police, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Sealdah court on January 18.
The CBI has yet to file charges against former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh and former Tala police station officer-in-charge Abhijit Mondal, both arrested for allegedly tampering with evidence related to the case. Ghosh is also facing separate financial corruption charges.
As investigations continue, the agitation by junior doctors and the political and legal battles surrounding the case show no signs of subsiding.
