Crisis in West Bengal: Strike after tragic death of doctor claims 23 lives

The West Bengal government informed the Supreme Court on Monday that 23 people were killed during a doctors' strike to protest against the brutal rape and murder of a medical doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Representing the West Bengal government, senior advocate Kapil Sibal submitted a status report of the state health department to a court headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

“A status report has been submitted. The state health department has submitted a report. 23 people have died due to the doctors' strike,” Sibal informed the court, which also comprised Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the status reports filed by the State and the CBI during the hearing.

On August 22, the Supreme Court slammed the Kolkata police for delaying the registration of the unnatural death of the doctor who was found raped and murdered in the hospital, describing the situation as “extremely disturbing”. The court questioned the sequence of events and the timing of the procedural steps taken.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had set up a ten-member National Task Force (NTF) to develop a protocol to ensure the safety of doctors and other medical professionals.

The Supreme Court described the incident as “appalling” and condemned the state government's delay in filing the complaint and for allowing thousands to vandalise the government facility.

The alleged rape and murder of the junior doctor in the hospital's seminar hall sparked nationwide protests. Her body with severe injuries was discovered in the hospital's pulmonary department on August 9. The next day, the Kolkata police arrested a volunteer connected to the case.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation from the Calcutta Police to the CBI, which began its investigation on August 14.

(With contributions from agencies.)