Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed deep shock and anger over the brutal rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata amid the growing sense of insecurity among women and medical professionals across India.
In his first response to the Thursday night incident, Gandhi condemned the handling of the case and raised concerns about the safety protocols in educational and medical institutions. In a post on X, Gandhi also questioned the response of the “state administration” in West Bengal, which is ruled by Trinamool Congress, an ally of his party.
“The entire nation is shocked by the gruesome incident of rape and murder involving a junior doctor in Kolkata. The layers of the cruel and inhumane act against her that are being uncovered are creating an atmosphere of insecurity among the medical community and women,” Gandhi wrote in Hindi on X.
“The attempt to shield the accused instead of delivering justice to the victim raises serious questions about the hospital and local administration,” the post added.
“This incident forces us to think: if doctors are not safe in a place like a medical college, how can parents confidently send their daughters out for education? Why have the stringent laws enacted after the Nirbhaya case failed to prevent such crimes?”
Gandhi said the continuously increasing incidents against women from Hathras to Unnao and Kathua to Kolkata demand serious deliberation and concrete action from every political party and every section of society.
“I stand with the victim’s family in this unbearable pain. Justice must be delivered at all costs, and the perpetrators must be punished in a manner that serves as an example to society,” Gandhi said.
On Tuesday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also called the incident “heartbreaking” and urged the Trinamool Congress government to take “swift and strict action.”
“The sexual assault and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College is heartbreaking. The safety of women at workplace is a huge issue that requires serious efforts. I appeal to the state government for swift and strictest action so that the victim’s family and other doctors get justice,” read her post on X.
The Congress’ criticism comes at a time a time when pressure is mounting on Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government over the horrific crime at the prestigious state-run hospital in Kolkata.
The 31-year-old postgraduate doctor had gone to rest in a seminar room on Thursday night. Early Friday morning, her partially clothed body, bearing multiple injuries, was discovered.
The prime suspect, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police stationed at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, had access to all departments. He was arrested based on CCTV footage that showed him entering the building where the doctor was found murdered. A Bluetooth headset found near the woman’s body matched the one seen around Roy’s neck in the footage, and it was also paired with his phone.
According to reports, Roy has confessed to the crime. However, speculation surrounds the circumstances, suggesting that the case may not be as straightforward as it seems.
The investigation has now been taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following an order from the Calcutta High Court.
