The Supreme Court of India took action Sunday in response to the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal by scheduling a hearing in the matter on August 20. The incident, which occurred on August 9, has sparked widespread protests and strikes by medical professionals across the nation.

The Supreme Court’s intervention follows an August 13 directive from the Calcutta High Court, which transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The High Court decided to involve the CBI after expressing dissatisfaction with the initial investigation by the Kolkata Police. The court criticized the hospital administration for failing to file a formal complaint, despite the severity of the crime, and emphasized that the transfer was necessary to ensure justice and maintain public confidence.

The doctor’s body was discovered in a seminar room at the hospital, with the post-mortem examination revealing extensive injuries. This discovery led to protests, during which parts of the hospital were vandalized on August 14. In response, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) organized a 24-hour nationwide strike on August 17, suspending all non-essential medical services. While the strike ended the following day, several resident doctors’ associations have continued their protests, driven by ongoing concerns about the safety of healthcare workers.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has responded by promising to form a committee to recommend safety measures for healthcare professionals. However, the medical community remains skeptical, given the perceived ineffectiveness of previous initiatives.