Editorial 20th January 2025

Editorial 20th January 2025

editorial

Title: ​Murder most foul: On the R.G. Kar case

The conviction of a former civic police volunteer on Saturday (January 18, 2025) in the rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata has brought some closure to her parents, but the struggle to make systemic changes to make the workplace safe for women continues. The District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, found Sanjay Roy guilty of the horrific crime at the State-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024, while on duty. Pronouncing the verdict in the presence of the parents and the accused, Judge Anirban Das said the accused was found guilty based on evidence put forward by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The accused is being held guilty under Sections 64 (rape), 66 (causing death), and 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Reading out the verdict, the judge said the crime carries the highest punishment of a death sentence and the lowest of life imprisonment; the terms of the sentence will be announced on January 20, 2025. In his observations, the judge also put the spotlight on the functioning of the hospital administration, saying that the actions of the college’s principal and other senior members had “created some confusion” in his mind. In widespread protests after the crime, doctors, the parents, and civil society had alleged that it could not have been the handiwork of only one individual.

Sandip Ghosh, principal of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital at the time of the murder, was arrested by the CBI on charges of evidence tampering and the delay in filing the first information report (FIR), but was released on bail as the charge sheet had not been filed in 90 days, as is the rule. Inefficiencies in policing have also come to the fore; there was an inordinate delay in filing the FIR, for example, and other lapses. The parents of the doctor said they respect the judgment and sought the highest punishment for the accused but expressed hope that the investigation would not be halted so that all the culprits are nabbed, a sentiment echoed by protesting doctors, activists — and also the Opposition. There are cases pending in the High Court and the Supreme Court of India, which began hearing it suo motu after the uproar over the rape. It should not need a rape and murder to wake up to appalling working conditions, such as the lack of basic amenities and a safe room to rest. Kolkata’s State-run hospitals are stretched thin and reports of corruption are rife. The State government announced a slew of measures for the protection of health workers, and the onus is on the administration to follow through with the promises.

Meaning of the word:

WordMeaningSynonymsAntonyms
ConvictionThe act of declaring someone guilty of a crime in a court of law.Sentence
Judgment
Verdict
Condemnation
Acquittal
Exoneration
Pardon
Uncertainty
InefficienciesInefficiencies refers to the state or quality of being inefficient, meaning not achieving maximum productivity or effectiveness.Ineffectiveness
Wastefulness
Unproductiveness
Sluggishness
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Productivity
Competence
AmenitiesAmenities refer to the desirable or useful features, facilities, or services that provide comfort, convenience, or enjoyment in a place or situation.Facilities
Conveniences
Comforts
Services
Discomforts
Inconveniences
Hindrances
Deficiencies

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