Police say the accused washed his clothes after raping and killing Kolkata doctor

Kolkata:

The individual who was apprehended on the accusation of violating and assassinating a physician inside a Kolkata hospital returned to his residence and slept before rinsing his garments the subsequent morning to obliterate proof, a law enforcement officer investigating the incident alleged.

However, the police discovered traces of blood on the footwear of the suspect, a civic volunteer who is not connected with the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, but frequented the location.

The remains of a female post-graduate trainee who was purportedly violated and slain inside a seminar auditorium of the hospital were discovered on Friday morning. The civic volunteer was detained on Saturday.

Demonstrations by junior doctors demanding swift punishment of those responsible for the transgression persisted for the third day on Sunday, impacting services in state-run hospitals throughout West Bengal.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal visited the medical facility on Sunday for the second time in three days and convened with representatives of protesting junior doctors.

He asserted that the investigation is “open” and urged individuals not to disseminate falsehoods.

“Subsequent to executing the offense, the suspect returned to the place where he was residing and slumbered until late on Friday morning. Upon awakening, he rinsed the attire he was donning during the offense to obliterate proof. His shoes, with blood stains on them, were detected during a search,” the officer stated.

When inquired if anyone else was implicated in the offense as alleged by some sectors, he stated, “At present, there is no substantiation of that.” The officer remarked that the police were awaiting the conclusive autopsy report as they intended to correlate it with their investigation discoveries.

The preliminary post-mortem report indicated that the victim was hemorrhaging from her eyes, mouth, and intimate regions. Additionally, there were wounds on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger, and lips.

Another police officer mentioned that circumstantial evidence also suggested a likelihood that the physician was initially executed and subsequently violated.

“We are also conversing with individuals who were on duty on Thursday night until the following morning. CCTV footage is also being scrutinized,” the law enforcement officer expressed.

A squad of police officers from the SIT, alongside the forensic department on Sunday, amassed specimens from the seminar auditorium of the hospital, a police insider disclosed.

The police additionally reconstructed the crime scene despite the detained suspect not being present, the officer disclosed.

“The autopsy report was presented to the parents of the deceased physician today by one of our senior officers. We had a productive gathering with the students and we believe they are content. In accordance with their request, we have eliminated one assistant police officer who was stationed here,” the police commissioner remarked.

Goyal stated that the police are not attempting to conceal anyone, and the investigation is transparent.

The IPS officer conveyed that they would promptly initiate a toll-free number for individuals to provide recommendations or grievances.

Contrarily, the protesting junior doctors declared that they would perpetuate their demonstration until they were entirely “content” and their demands concerning their safety and security were addressed.

The cessation of operations in all urgent and non-urgent services will persist, as one junior doctor remarked following the meeting with Goyal.

Junior doctors, house staff, and post-graduate trainees (PGT) at various state-operated hospitals, who are also demanding security for them in medical establishments, initiated a cessation of operations since Friday evening. “The government must implement significant measures to secure justice for the victim. The incident is not solely a manifestation of systemic inadequacies at the hospital level, but it also alludes to broader societal concerns that necessitate immediate and targeted attention,” he remarked.

In response to the unrest, the state health department cancelled breaks and holidays for all senior doctors on Sunday to address the deadlock.

Backing for the protesting doctors emerged from various corners of the nation.

The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association of India (FORDA) endorsed the ongoing strike and advocated for a nationwide suspension of elective services in hospitals on Monday.

The FORDA has notified the Union Health Ministry about their resolution.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee pledged to pursue capital punishment for the culprit.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police deployed a substantial contingent at the hospital on Sunday.

“No individual will be permitted inside the hospital premises without proper identification. We will ensure complete safety of the healthcare workers in the medical establishment,” the officer remarked.

The hospital authorities ousted the two security personnel contractually engaged at the emergency ward for neglecting their duties, which, in a manner, facilitated the offense against the physician, another official disclosed.