Kolkata doctor rape-murder case highlights: Protesting women hit streets to 'reclaim the night'

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case LIVE updates: The protests are deeply rooted in the "Reclaim the Night" movement, which originated in the 1970s.

This movement seeks to affirm women's right to safety and freedom in public spaces, especially during the night.

The first "Reclaim the Night" march is often credited to Leeds, England, in 1977, where women organized a protest against sexual violence and the prevailing "blame the victim" mentality that suggested women should stay indoors at night to avoid assault.

The march served as a strong statement against curfews imposed on women, advocating safer streets and communities instead. Participants in "Reclaim the Night" events call for an end to gender-based violence, and these events are usually held at night to emphasise the right of women to walk safely at any hour.

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case LIVE updates: Thousands of women across West Bengal assembled at various locations on Wednesday night, demonstrating their anger and solidarity in response to the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at a Kolkata hospital last week.

The protests, driven by the "Reclaim the Night" movement, were scheduled to start at 11:55 p.m., aligning with India's Independence Day celebrations at the stroke of midnight. Dig deeper

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case LIVE: In West Bengal, protests were held in various locations to ‘reclaim the night’ against the rape-murder incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Demonstrations occurred in the Shyambazar area of Kolkata, with additional protests led by women in Jadavpur, Kolkata, and Siliguri.

Kolkata doctor rape-murder case LIVE: The autopsy report of the female doctor, who was reportedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, reveals evidence of multiple penetrations and injuries to various parts of her body. The report, according to news agency PTI, confirms that her death was “homicidal” and occurred “antemortem,” countering some claims that she was raped postmortem.

It further stated, “Homicidal injuries are antemortem in nature with the indication of sexual penetration.”

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that a particular TMC MP's nephew's name keeps coming up repeatedly in this case, claiming that some screenshots from doctor's team surfaced.

Amid a doctors' strike at All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Delhi over the sexual assault and death of a female trainee doctor at West Bengal's college, Operation Theatre Services has been reduced by 85 per cent while the admission in the institute has been reduced by 65 per cent. (ANI)

A CBI team has left Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College after conducting a seven-hour investigation into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says "Within Sunday (18th August), CBI has to facilitate hanging of the guilty and complete the entire probe. Our Kolkata Police has completed 90% of the probe."

The Student Council of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences held a candlelight vigil to show support for the trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical Hospital.

TMC leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy says, "Police case diary was asked in the court and after seeing the case diary the chief justice expressed dissatisfaction. A CIB probe was ordered by the court after this. First, I would like to say that we have no trust in the CBI because several incidents have occurred across the country and the state in the past in which a CBI probe was ordered but the cases were not solved...If the HC monitor the CBI probe properly then something positive can happen..."

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "When this incident happened I was returning from Jhargram. The moment it came to my notice I called the Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and enquired about the incident. They informed that they were present in the hospital and her parents were also there. I spoke with her parents and assured them that Police will investigate the case and the criminals would be hanged to death. I also told them, I would soon visit their place and I visited them on Monday, two days after the incident. I was updated minute-to-minute by the Police personnel about the sample collection, her cremation and other events. CCTV footage of 1 month was thoroughly searched and within 12 hours, the criminal was arrested after interrogation."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged agitating doctors to get back to work.

“CPI(M), BJP trying to organise Bangladesh-like protests to capture power in Bengal,” she said.

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury leads a protest march in response to the rape and murder incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Kolkata Police provides clarification on some questions related to the rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The police said in a post on X, “Since points 1 & 2 concern Kolkata Police, we wish to clarify: 1. Reports of KP informing the family about a possible suicide are false. The family confirmed the call did not come from KP. 2. ⁠KP didn’t cremate the body of deceased. It was her family who cremated her.”

On Kolkata doctor rape-murder case, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat says," The high Court intervention ensured the complete comprised position of the TMC govt and all authorities involved. The fact is that the principal of the college who has to be held responsible just asked to go on leave is not sufficient as he is directly involved in the cover-up. He should be taken into custody by CBI and investigated. The Police Commissioner also before he could know the details gave a clean chit to hospital authorities. How can Police Commissioner also remain in his post?...The CM is the Health minister herself...There are many layers and dimensions to this heinous crime."

A CBI official said, “Yes, we have taken over the investigation. The FSL team and medical team have come from Delhi...”

CPI General Secretary D Raja says, "What happened in Kolkata Medical College Hospital, is a heinous crime. Such crimes should never occur in our country. It's a serious matter and the state government has taken up the issue with all seriousness. CBI must probe the whole crime in detail and the truth should come out. No culprit should be allowed to go scot and it is such a heinous crime and the investigation to be done by CBI must be an example for other states also. If such crimes occur, they will not be let go and there will be a thorough probe and strong action will be taken."

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi posted on X, "The entire country is shocked by the gruesome incident of rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata. The way the layers of the cruel and inhuman act against her are being revealed, there is an atmosphere of insecurity among the doctors' community and women.

The attempt to save the accused instead of providing justice to the victim raises serious questions on the hospital and the local administration.

This incident has forced us to think that if doctors are not safe in a place like medical college, then how can parents send their daughters outside for studies? Why are even the strict laws made after the Nirbhaya case unsuccessful in preventing such crimes?

Every party, every section of the society will have to hold serious discussions and take concrete steps on the continuously increasing incidents against women from Hathras to Unnao, and from Kathua to Kolkata.

I stand with the victim's family in this unbearable pain. They should get justice at all costs and the culprits should be given such a punishment that it is presented as an example in the society."

The parents of the victim, who was found dead in the RG Kar Medical College, told the court that they suspect that it was a case of gang rape after 150 mg was found in her body at the time of the autopsy.

A CBI team has reached the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata to inspect the crime scene of the rape and murder case of the 31-year-old junior doctor last week.

Dr RV Asokan, National President of the Indian Medical Association said "As a team, IMA went and met the parents of the victim and we were shattered. They are totally helpless, they have a lot of things to say about how the incident was not informed to them for several hours. They were not allowed to meet the Principal. Our demand from the WB Govt is that there have to be supportive measures for the family. Now the investigation has been given to the CBI. They have to be fair and transparent and need to find the other culprits..."

AIIMS Bhopal doctors, while protesting against the rape-murder case, demanded for the Central Protection of Doctors act to be implemented to ensure the safety for all the medical practioners in the workplace.