RG Kar Case: Protesting doctors to meet West Bengal chief secretary

In an effort to resolve the ongoing standoff, protesting doctors in West Bengal have agreed to meet with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The doctors informed Chief Secretary Manoj Pant that they would attend the meeting, proposing to bring 30 representatives and requesting that the session be live-streamed for transparency.

Despite the Supreme Court’s earlier order, the doctors have continued their protests. In response, the Bengal Chief Secretary had issued a fresh invitation for the doctors to meet with the Chief Minister at 5 pm on Thursday.

However, while the request for live streaming was denied, the government has agreed to record the meeting for transparency, the Chief Secretary confirmed.

Doctors Protest

The doctors have been protesting outside Swathya Bhavan, the state health department headquarters, demanding the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, the state health secretary, the director of health education, and the director of health services.

They also called for enhanced security measures for women health professionals and the suspension of Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Hospital, along with others allegedly involved in tampering with evidence.

The protest has entered its 33rd day as the doctors continue to demand justice for Abhaya, the postgraduate trainee whose body was discovered at RG Kar Hospital on August 9.

A civic volunteer was arrested the following day in connection with the case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is conducting the probe under a Calcutta High Court order.

The junior doctors have emphasised the need for transparency in the ongoing investigation and have called for better security measures in hospitals and government healthcare centres. They have also demanded a more democratic representation in official bodies to address the threats and issues faced by healthcare professionals.

As the situation remains tense, all eyes are on the state government and the medical community to see if a resolution can be reached through the proposed dialogue.