- By Akanksha Verma
- Sun, 06 Oct 2024 03:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
RG Kar case: Several medical students at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata were victims of sexual abuse, an investigation by an internal probe committee has allegedly found. The panel, which was set up to probe the alleged threats to junior doctors, uncovered various instances of sexual assault before the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor on August 9. In its report, the committee also claimed that a drug supply gang has been active in the hospital for a long time.
The report of the internal probe panel named as accused several junior doctors who were considered close to the hospital's former principal Sandeep Ghosh. Earlier, Ghosh was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over financial irregularities and corruption at the hospital.
As many as 80 junior doctors testified against the accused in front of the investigation committee, which recommended the hospital administration to take action against the accused. The college council further gave its approval for action.
RG Kar Hospital Dismisses 10 Employees
The RG Kar Medical College and Hospital reportedly dismissed ten employees over threats to junior doctors. Those expelled from the hospital included doctors, housing staff and interns, according to a report by the Indian Express. The action was taken by the hospital authorities after the staff was accused on various accounts of misconduct, including sexual harassment, threats to fail in examination, expulsion from hostel, pressure to join a political party, extortion and filing of false FIRs. Among those ousted was a house staff member, Ashish Pandey, who was close to Sandip Ghosh.
Junior doctors sit on 'indefinite' hunger strike claiming the state government's failure to meet their demands over RG Kar rape-murder case, in Kolkata on Friday. (ANI Photo)
Junior Doctors Fast Unto Death
The junior doctors, who have alleged government inaction, began their fast unto death on Saturday evening. On Friday, the junior doctors set a 24-hour deadline for the Mamata Banerjee government as they began a sit-in protest at Dorina Crossing in Dharmatala. The doctors sought action and asked the government to fulfil their demands regarding the safety of medics.
"The state government has failed the deadline and hence we are starting the fast unto death, which will continue till our demands are fulfilled. To maintain transparency, we have installed CCTV cameras at the dais where our colleagues are holding the fast," a junior doctor was quoted by news agency PTI.
Earlier, the junior doctors had held a 42-day-long protest, which ended on September 21 after several rounds of negotiations with the West Bengal government.