Betrayed by the System: The Fight for Justice in the R.G. Kar Case

??? ?Justice for the R.G. Kar Victim: No Bail for the Guilty, Only Accountability

The recent developments in the R.G. Kar Medical College rape and murder case are nothing short of a travesty. It is an outrage that key suspects—former principal Sandip Ghosh and police officer Abhijit Mandal—have been granted bail. This blatant failure of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a chargesheet on time has undermined justice and betrayed the trust of the victim’s family, the medical fraternity, and every citizen demanding accountability.

This is not just a case of administrative inefficiency; it is a glaring example of institutional apathy. Sandip Ghosh and Abhijit Mandal, who allegedly tampered with evidence, have been allowed to walk free, while the grieving family of the victim and the protesting doctors are left with nothing but despair. The question remains—who is shielding these accused? Why has the CBI, tasked with delivering justice, failed so spectacularly?

The victim’s parents, junior doctors, and civil society demand justice, not excuses. The repeated delays and the CBI’s inability to act decisively have not only emboldened the guilty but have also tarnished the credibility of our investigative and judicial systems. This is unacceptable.

The victim’s father’s words resonate with a nation’s anguish: “All our efforts to get justice for our daughter seem in vain. We have nowhere to turn.” How long must families endure this pain? How long will the guilty evade accountability?

Doctors across West Bengal are protesting tirelessly, not just for their slain colleague but for systemic reforms to ensure such horrors never recur. Their demands—for enhanced hospital security, proper facilities, and a robust system to address threats—are met with hollow assurances. Two months after the Chief Minister’s promises, little to no action has been taken. The central referral system? Non-existent. The digital bed vacancy monitoring system? Still dysfunctional. Task forces for hospital safety? Mere lip service.

Why does the State government, which controls the police and health departments, remain silent? Why has it not acted against those who perpetuate a culture of threats and corruption in medical institutions? The government’s inaction sends a chilling message: the lives and safety of medical professionals are expendable.

Hospital security remains abysmal. Panic buttons and promises of more women personnel are ideas on paper, not realities on the ground. Doctors who trusted the system are now forced to fight again, their faith shattered. As Dr. Arnab Mukherjee rightly said, “We fought the system, trusted its assurances, and ended our hunger strike. Now we’re forced to become cynics who expect nothing from the State.”

We, as citizens, cannot stay silent. We demand justice for the victim. We demand that the guilty—no matter how powerful—be held accountable. The CBI must act decisively, file chargesheets, and ensure a fair trial. The State government must fulfill its promises of systemic reforms and prioritize the safety of medical professionals. This is not just about one case; it is about the fundamental right to justice and safety for all.

No bail. No escape. Only justice. It is time to act. It is time to hold the guilty accountable and bring an end to this culture of impunity. Let us not rest until justice is served.