CW: sexual violence
Kolkata’s police chief has stepped down following demands from doctor protesters rallying against sexual violence in the Indian state of West Bengal.
Doctors and women have led weeks of demonstrations against sexual violence, after the rape and murder of a junior doctor last month in Kolkata.
Unrest intensified after claims police had mishandled evidence concerning the case.
The State Government has now responded to calls to remove the Commissioner of Kolkata Police. Two other senior government officials have also been stood down.
Background
A junior doctor was found dead in a seminar room of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata on 9 August. The 31-year-old was taking a shift break when she was raped and murdered.
Her death sparked mass protests led by doctors and women. Demonstrations have included shutdowns of non-essential medical services.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called on the West Bengal Government “to improve the safety of doctors, especially women” in hospitals.
Arrests
This week, India‘s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charged the former principal of the medical college with evidence tampering.
Dr Sandip Gosh has been accused of destroying evidence relating to the murder investigation.
Gosh was already in police custody after he was arrested on corruption charges on 2 September.
Abhijit Mondal, a police officer, was also arrested. Mondal is accused of failing to protect evidence relating to the murder, which includes the crime scene.
Demands
Following mass protests, the IMA wrote to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for hospital reforms.
The peak body for doctors is demanding improved security protocols, access to safe rest areas for doctors, and compensation for the victim’s family.
Some non-essential medical services have been impacted by protest action.
According to West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at least 27 people have died in the state’s hospitals “due to a lack of treatment”.
Meeting
State Government officials agreed to meet with a group of doctors to discuss sexual violence protesters’ demands in Kolkata.
Local media reports said the talks lasted around five hours.
The West Bengal Government said it’s agreed to allocate $AU17.7 million to improve hospitals and develop a task force to represent doctors.
It also agreed to remove or re-allocate some senior police and health officials who have been accused of mishandling the murder investigation.
This includes former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, in line with protesters’ demands.
Demonstrators have called for the resignations of more police and health officials.
Protesters and the victim’s family allege that officials accepted bribes that compromised the crime scene at RG Kar Medical College.
