On a tense Tuesday, the 20th of August, the Supreme Court of India brought to light the escalating concerns regarding the safety of healthcare professionals, particularly highlighting the plight of female doctors at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. During a critical hearing, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud voiced alarming details about the behavior of the mob involved in the recent vandalism at the hospital. "They threatened the people leading the protests with the same fate that had befallen the deceased victim, alluding to the rape threats to women doctors," he stated, underscoring the severity of the threats made directly to women doctors by name.

The situation was further described in distressing detail by Advocate Aparajita Singh, representing the female doctors of RG Kar Hospital. She recounted to the court the harrowing moment when the mob infiltrated the premises, particularly targeting the ladies' hostel. "When the mob came inside there were people who came inside the ladies’ hostel and threatened with such words that cannot be said here. State police ran away from the scene. The parents are not sending the lady doctors as they are not feeling safe. Doctors have also stated that police were inside the female changing room. Please see the sealed envelope to see the doctors’ position there," Advocate Singh conveyed the immediate threat and the subsequent fear that pervaded among the doctors.

Chief Justice Chandrachud's reaction to these testimonies was one of profound concern, especially in light of the document submitted to the court—an email from a senior resident that detailed the events of the night of 14th August. The email vividly described how a large mob executed the vandalism, instilling fear and chaos among the hospital staff. The Chief Justice questioned the actions of the law enforcement present during the incident, particularly highlighting their failure to protect those at the forefront of healthcare. "This is a very serious issue Mr. Sibal ...Women doctors are assaulted, the police run away from the scene. Thereafter women doctors are called out by name, the people leading the protests, and they are threatened with the same fate that has befallen the other (deceased victim) ... What was the police force doing in anticipation?" he queried.

Further distressing was the revelation that a significant number of female doctors felt compelled to flee from the hospital, fearing for their personal safety—a stark indicator of the grave situation at RG Kar Hospital. The court was informed that only about 30-40 women resident doctors remained, steadfast yet shaken.

In response to the dire circumstances and the palpable threat to safety, the Supreme Court made a decisive move to ensure the protection of the hospital staff. It ordered the deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to safeguard RG Kar Hospital, marking a significant step towards restoring safety and order within the medical institution.

Eyewitness Nursing Staff Recalls the 14th August Incident and Threatening Remarks of the Attacking Mob

In a recent Supreme Court hearing that revisited the grave incidents of the 14th of August, a chilling account emerged from an eyewitness who vividly recalled the hostile and terrifying environment created by the mob at RG Kar Hospital. The nursing staff, who were at the forefront of the chaos, reported to Burkha Dutt's Mojo Story about the horrifying events of that night. "Jaise Rape Hua, Aap Logon Ko Bhi Karenge." (You will be raped just like the one that took place recently) were the words used by the attackers, heightening the fear among those present.

During a detailed conversation, a member of the nursing staff shared her experiences of that fateful night when a 'Reclaim the Night' protest was in full swing. A large number of women, including lady doctors, nursing staff, and young students, had gathered, voicing their demands for safety and justice. Despite their peaceful intentions, the situation escalated rapidly when the mob overpowered the minimal police presence at the gates. "They tried to stop the mob as a lot of girls were inside. However, the mob broke the barricades and entered inside. They vandalised chairs and tables while one group went to the Emergency department," she recounted the initial moments of the attack.

The terror among the hospital staff grew as the mob wreaked havoc inside the premises. "We felt as if the same fate that happened to the victim, for whom we came here to stage a protest, would happen to us. And tomorrow someone else will protest for us. There was no safety and security," she expressed, depicting a scenario where they felt utterly abandoned and vulnerable. The mob's destructive path didn't stop at physical damage; they pursued the staff inside, adding to the panic and disorder.

Addressing the specific threats posed to the on-duty doctors, the nursing staff member reiterated the mob's menacing words: "They threatened on-duty doctors saying, ‘Jaise Rape Hua hai, aap logo ko bhi karenge’." This statement underscored the direct and explicit threat faced by the healthcare professionals, making an already dire situation palpably worse.

The response—or lack thereof—by the police was particularly disheartening. According to her, the police initially stationed themselves aside, offering little resistance. "We insisted and pushed them a lot to go in front but when the mob entered inside, the Police ran away and went to the nursing staff seeking shelter, and hid in the toilets," she disclosed, highlighting the police's ineffectiveness during the critical moments. The staff sought help from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), but their pleas were initially ignored as the RAF awaited orders. The tense standoff lasted for approximately 30-40 minutes and only began to resolve once the RAF initiated a lathi charge to disperse the mob.

‘Mamata Banerjee’s goons posed as doctors to meet the father, forged my name to get his sign on SC case’: RG Kar hospital victim’s lawyer

In a startling revelation, Bikashranjan Bhattacharya, the lawyer representing the parents of a trainee doctor who was tragically raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has accused a group of individuals of deceitfully approaching the victim's family. On the 20th of August, he detailed this accusation in a Facebook post, expressing his shock and dismay. "As soon as I reached Delhi airport, I received news that a group of crooks, impersonating doctors, met the victim’s father. They forged my name to sign the Supreme Court petition," Bhattacharya disclosed, indicating a deep-seated manipulation attempt to influence the legal proceedings.

The senior advocate did not mince words in his post, labeling the impostors as "bhakts" (blind followers) and strongly suggested their affiliation with a political figure. "I firmly believe they were bhakts of Mamata Banerjee. Those who attempted to misuse my name should be tracked down and questioned. A lot of confidential information could be retrieved from them," he asserted. This serious allegation points to a potential misuse of his professional identity in an attempt to meddle with the judicial process.

Earlier, Bhattacharya had been vocal about his criticisms of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal. He had condemned her approach to handling cases of sexual assault within the state, especially concerning financial compensations to victims' families. "You see, the role of the chief minister in the state of West Bengal is very condemnable. Wherever there is a rape, she wants to immediately get into contact with the victim’s family, pay them money and then say everything is over. Unfortunately, she has fixed up rate cards for the rape victims. Under the law, they are entitled to compensation, but that should wait until the investigation is over. She attempts to purchase the witnesses. That attempt was also made in this case. The parents of the victim girl refused it (money) because they didn’t want to be a part of the game played by the chief minister," he expressed, outlining a grim picture of alleged interference and ethical misconduct.

Adding to the complexities of the case, during a Calcutta High Court hearing, Bhattacharya pointed out a significant error made by the mob that attacked the hospital. Intent on destroying the seminar room where the horrific crime occurred, the mob mistakenly vandalized the wrong floor. "The seminar room is situated on the third floor of the building, which is known in Bengali as the 4th Story (4th Tala). As a result, they entered the building’s third story, which is actually the second floor and destroyed rooms there," he explained. This confusion was part of what he described as a premeditated act to obliterate any evidence of the crime.

Further illustrating the chaos of the incident, a video capturing the assault depicted an individual directing the mob towards the seminar room. The violence that ensued was extensive, affecting critical areas of the hospital including the emergency room, intensive care unit, and various other departments. The police, significantly outnumbered with an estimated 7000 individuals participating in the riot, found themselves in dire straits, forced to seek refuge and assistance from the nursing staff.

Bikashranjan Bhattacharya, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Communist Party of India (Marxist), continues to advocate vigorously for justice in this deeply troubling case, highlighting systemic issues and political interference that complicate the path to accountability and justice.