One year on, Kolkata to witness statewide protests, Nabanna march for justice in RG Kar doctor’s rape-murder

Kolkata: One year after RG Kar Post Graduate Doctor's brutal rape and murder on August 9 last year, protest rallies have been brought all across Kolkata and Bengal demanding justice for Abhaya. A massive torchlight march will be brought out from College Square to Shyambazar in central Kolkata at 9PM today by West Bengal Junior Doctors’ forum, which led the protests last year for Abhaya. Doctors and people from all walks of lives will join the march and similar marches and protest rallies will be brought all across the state.

Meanwhile, tomorrow on August 9, Abhaya’s parents and the ‘Paschim Bango Chatra Samaj’ has called for a ‘Nabanna-state secretariat March, demanding justice.

Debasish Halder, “One year has crossed. This is that black day. One year back, Abhaya did not get justice. The PGT doctor did not return home from duty from the hospital one year back.”


The parents of the victim have given a ‘Nabanna Abhijan (march to the state secretariat)’ call on August 9 and appealed to all political parties to join in the procession without their flags, demanding justice for their daughter on her death anniversary. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari will also join the March.

“We have not received justice. Only Sanjoy Roy has been punished by the court. But our daughter has been a victim of institutional crime. The others, who are accused, have not been punished. Trinamool Congress leaders,” Abhaya’s father said

Abhaya’s parents said, “There was attempt to cover up things. We don’t believe that one person cannot be involved in this. Our appeal is that they should come and for “Nabanna March” with us. There is no politics in this. All political parties are invited."

The victim’s parents last week went to New Delhi to meet CBI Director Praveen Sood to express their grievances on the progress of the investigation.

Starting from Friday, protests have been planned by West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Forum and other bodies on the first anniversary of the rape and murder of PGT doctor of R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata last year. The protests, which have been planned by various groups, will continue till August 15.

The body of the junior doctor, who was raped and murdered by civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, was found at the seminar hall of the hospital, on the morning of August 9.

Meanwhile, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) now guards the gates and college along with heavy Kolkata Police presence, following Abhaya’s tragic death. A protest stage still stands on the premises, symbolising the ongoing demand for justice. A statue of Abhaya serves as a reminder of the tragedy.

Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, had already been sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court in Kolkata, there have been allegations of a larger conspiracy in the crime, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is still investigating the case. However, the central agency was unable to complete its investigation.

Kolkata Police had arrested Sanjay Roy, a police civic volunteer, later identified as the prime accused by the CBI as well. After a long trial, Roy was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the case, transferring the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The brutal incident sparked widespread protests and demonstrations across the country and even abroad, demanding justice for Abhaya. The incident prompted junior doctors to demand greater workplace safety nationwide.

NABANNA ABHIJAAN

Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police suggested an alternative location for the protest rally convened by the parents of RG Kar victim on August 9. Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma and other senior cops said “march to state secretariat” will not be permitted and instead suggested two alternative places for the peaceful demonstration.

One of the alternative venues, suggested by the police, was the Santragachi Bus Stand in Kolkata-adjacent Howrah district. The second alternative venue was Rani Rashmoni Road in central Kolkata.

On Thursday evening, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court refused to impose a ban on the said rally but also observed that if the administration wanted, they could suggest an alternative venue for a peaceful demonstration instead of the state secretariat.