Protesters rally at the West Bengal Secretariat 'Nabanna', after one year, urging for justice in the RG Kar case.
Protests Mark One-Year Anniversary of RG Kar Hospital Doctor's Murder
One year after the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the state-run RG Kar hospital in Kolkata, protests and marches were held on August 9, 2025, demanding justice and the completion of the investigation.
The protests, organised by doctors, activists, and the victim's family, faced resistance from the police, including denials of permission for marches to the state secretariat (Nabanna), lathi-charge on protesting doctors, blockades, and clashes, leading to injuries.
Among the injured were more than 100 protestors, including BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and other party leaders, according to Adhikari's allegations. The father of the victim also claimed that the police were not cooperating with them despite the High Court permitting a peaceful protest rally.
The protests were marked by a strong political undertone. BJP MLA Ashok Dinda was summoned by Kolkata Police for threatening police personnel during the anniversary rally, an event that saw multiple violent clashes and a heavy police presence.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, along with BJP leader Agnimitra Paul and other BJP MLAs, held a sit-in at the Park Street-J L Nehru Road crossing. Adhikari urged citizens to join the march to Nabanna, the state secretariat, and warned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would pay dearly for the incident. He also appealed to BJP workers to participate in the procession without any party flag.
Meanwhile, the "Reclaim the Night" movement, which originated from this case, continues to raise awareness about women's safety and oppose victim-blaming culture in Kolkata, with events planned around the anniversary and beyond.
The sole convict, Sanjoy Roy, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court. However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to probe a larger conspiracy behind the crime, and this investigation remains incomplete even after one year.
The victim’s family and supporters continue to call for full justice. The current status of the investigation and justice related to the RG Kar hospital doctor's murder reflects that while legal proceedings against the main accused have reached a conclusion, the broader justice and investigation landscape remains active and contentious as of August 2025.
Crowds were found swelling at both the assembly points in Howrah and Kolkata, with protestors marching towards Nabanna. A section of protestors reached Santragachi in Howrah district and attempted to breach the iron wall barricades set up by the city police there. The state police prevented the protestors from reaching anywhere close to the West Bengal secretariat.
The protests were marked by demonstrators carrying the Tricolour, posters, and banners demanding justice for the victim and the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Tension prevailed as protestors tried to breach the barricades at the Park Street crossing in central Kolkata. Amid constant alerts over loudspeakers by the police urging protestors to abide by the Calcutta High Court order to maintain law and order, the protest continued.
[1] News18 [2] The Telegraph [3] The Indian Express [4] The Hindu [5] The Quint
- The protests, held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the RG Kar hospital doctor's murder, were covered by multiple general news platforms, such as News18, The Telegraph, The Indian Express, The Hindu, and The Quint.
- While reporting on the political undertones of the protests, Crime and Justice sections of various news outlets, including News18, The Telegraph, and The Indian Express, highlighted the clashes between protestors and the police, and the summoning of BJP MLA Ashok Dinda for threatening police personnel.
