Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: Doctors' union calls off strike after meeting Union Minister Nadda

After meeting Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday, Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has called off its strike, which began to protest the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.

FORDA's nationwide indefinite strike, which began on August 12, witnessed shutting down of outpatient departments (OPDs), operation theatres, and ward duties, while emergency services continued to operate as usual.

The delegation led by the association's President Aviral Mathur, presented its reformulated demands and were assured support by Nadda.


"He assured us that he would provide a safe working environment for doctors. He has assured us that our demands would be addressed in a time-bound manner. A committee would be formed and we would be a part of it... All our demands have been accepted, hence, FORDA is calling off the strike," Mathur said.

Gruesome murder of trainee doctor in Kolkata

The body of a postgraduate trainee, reportedly raped and murdered in a seminar hall at RG Kar Hospital, was discovered on Friday morning. A civic volunteer was arrested on Saturday in connection with the case.

The preliminary autopsy report indicated that the victim had been sexually abused and murdered. The report also revealed that she was bleeding from her eyes, mouth, and private parts, and had injuries on her left leg, neck, right hand, ring finger, and lips.

In response to the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to hand over the case to the CBI if the state police do not resolve it by Sunday. Meanwhile, the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of AIIMS Delhi has joined the nationwide strike by suspending all elective and non-essential services, including outpatient departments (OPDs) and patient wards.

CBI takes over

The CBI has officially assumed control of the investigation into the reported rape and murder the doctor. Following a directive from the Calcutta High Court ordering the state police to transfer the case records to the central investigative agency, the CBI promptly completed all necessary procedures.

A team comprising CBI officials from Delhi, forensic specialists, and medical professionals is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Wednesday.

The High Court had previously instructed the state police to deliver the case log to the CBI by 10 AM on Wednesday.