New Delhi: The shocking rape and murder of Moumita Debnath, a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, has sent shockwaves across India. The incident, which occurred on August 9, has ignited fierce debates about the safety of women and healthcare professionals in the country.
The Horrific Incident
Debnath, a second-year student in the chest medicine department, had just completed a grueling 36-hour shift when she retired to a seminar hall on campus. The next morning, her lifeless body was discovered in the same hall, her eyes, mouth, and genitals bleeding. College authorities initially informed her family that she had committed suicide, but an autopsy revealed a far more sinister truth: Debnath had been brutally raped and sexually assaulted before being killed via strangulation.
Autopsy Findings
The autopsy report documented over 14 injuries on her body, including severe trauma and manual strangulation. The assailant had left deep wounds in her genital tract, lips, left leg, right hand, ring finger, neck, and face. Scratch marks on her face suggested the culprit’s fingernails were responsible. Pressure had been applied to her mouth and throat, resulting in a fracture of the thyroid cartilage. Bleeding from her eyes, mouth, and genitals indicated unimaginable violence, with the injuries in her genital area attributed to “perverted sexuality” and “genital torture”.
Nationwide Protests and Demands
In the wake of this tragedy, doctors across the country have taken to the streets, demanding better safety measures for healthcare professionals. They seek a central law to protect doctors at their workplaces and justice for their fallen colleagues. The Supreme Court’s orders on August 20 and 22 have prompted action from the Union Health Ministry. Union Health Secretary Apoorva Chandra has advised state governments to implement immediate measures, including the formation of Hospital Safety Committees and Violence Prevention Committees. These committees, comprising senior doctors and administrative officers, will strategize and implement security measures to safeguard healthcare workers.
Apoorva Chandra gave information
In a letter written after the Supreme Court’s decision, Union Health Secretary Apoorva Chandra said that the apex court has also directed that the state governments will take corrective and appropriate action keeping in mind the requirements of the situation within two weeks. In this regard, the following are some immediate measures that can be considered to enhance the safety of health workers and provide a safe working environment for them.
Supreme Court’s Directive
The Supreme Court has directed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to collaborate with Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police. Their joint efforts aim to address the safety concerns of doctors until the National Task Force report is released. While some reports suggested gang rape due to the presence of semen, the Kolkata Police dismissed these claims, emphasizing the difficulty of distinguishing semen from multiple individuals during an autopsy. The ongoing investigation has not yet confirmed gang rape, but the urgency for action remains.
