Even though there is overwhelming evidence pointing to the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, self-styled journalist Arvind Gunasekar has chosen to downplay the incident by casting doubt over it. Gunasekar, known for his bias towards Congress and DMK, contrasts his diminishing reporting on this heinous crime with his sensationalised coverage of the Hathras rape case, where Congress sought political mileage.
Young Doctor Raped and Murdered
A tragic incident occurred in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College involving a second-year postgraduate trainee doctor who was found brutally raped and murdered. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, with doctors in Kolkata protesting against the lack of a safe work environment.
The horrific incident happened on August 8 after the trainee doctor had dinner with her juniors and decided to rest around 2 am. Due to the hospital’s lack of resting facilities, she chose the seminar hall, considering it a safe place.
The following morning, on August 9, her body was discovered partially unclothed in the seminar hall after she had been on duty the previous night.
The victim’s father expressed severe concerns, suggesting signs of rape and accusing the hospital of delaying the investigation. In response, postgraduate trainee doctors at the hospital halted work in all departments except emergency services, demanding swift action and the arrest of the culprits. Student associations also organized protests, calling for a thorough investigation. Opposition leaders, including Bengal BJP legislators, pushed for an independent inquiry led by a magistrate.
Investigations and Evidence
Citing delays and errors in handling the case, the Kolkata High Court transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A specialised CBI team, including forensic and medical experts, arrived in Kolkata to begin their inquiry into the alleged rape and murder. The investigation is ongoing, while protests have broken out in the city. A mob forcibly entered RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor. The police had to resort to lathi-charge and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Preliminary autopsy results also confirmed sexual assault before the murder, ruling out suicide. The report also revealed multiple injuries, and bleeding, indicating a violent death. Reports further suggested that the victim’s nose and mouth had been covered, and her head forcibly pushed against a wall or floor to silence her. The crime is believed to have taken place between 3 am and 6 am, with evidence of strangulation and smothering.
Several doctors who reviewed the autopsy report indicated the possibility of gang rape. Dr. Subarna Goswami, in an exclusive interview with India Today TV, highlighted the extent of the injuries, suggesting multiple attackers. According to the autopsy, 151 mg of semen was found from the vaginal swab, which Dr. Goswami noted was likely from more than one individual. It is to be pointed out that an individual can ejaculate only 1.25–5 ml of sperm at an instance, which therefore suggests that many people raped the trainee doctor. However, this claim has been refuted by forensic experts saying that 151 mg was the weight of the inner genitalia and not of any liquid.
Arvind Gunasekar casts doubt over the incident
Despite this overwhelming evidence, Arvind Gunasekar, a self-styled ‘journalist’ known for peddling favourable propaganda for the Congress and DMK, chose to add the prefix ‘alleged’ for the brutal rape and murder of the doctor.
CBI takes over investigation into alleged rape and murder of a Doctor in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) August 13, 2024
He also went on to justify that it was usual reporting practice when questioned by a netizen.
As per usual reporting practice, a case until proven in court of law, is always prefixed with ‘alleged’.
You can even check the press releases of CBI in previous cases (CBI yet to issue a statement on this case).
Check attachment 4. https://t.co/EVZ0tnIZ7Z pic.twitter.com/IchyhAn3Rx— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) August 14, 2024
His bias also becomes evident when one compares his X posts on the Kolkata case and the Hathras rape case.
While Arvind Gunasekar has stuck to reporting just facts of the matter in the Kolkata case, his coverage of Hathras rape case, which Congress used for political mileage, was laden with propaganda.
This is how #Hathras victim was cremated last night by the UP Govt after locking up the family.
We all should hang our heads in shame !
She deserved respects + justice; What have you done to her UP Govt ?!
Why wasn’t the family allowed to take her remains to her house ?? pic.twitter.com/enDkfllNGw
— Arvind Gunasekar (@arvindgunasekar) September 30, 2020
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