'Told me about 36 hours of continuous duty': Psychiatrist claims RG Kar victim suffered acute stress

A psychiatrist consultant claimed on Monday that the RG Kar hospital victim, who was raped and murdered, had consulted him for mental health issues approximately one month before her death on August 9 last year.
Dr Mohit Ranadip said that the 30-year-old medical professional experienced severe mental distress due to extended working hours, unfair shift allocations, and her awareness of irregularities within the state-operated hospital.
During an interview with a prominent Bengali television channel, the psychiatrist expressed his willingness to provide testimony to the CBI, which is investigating the rape-murder case.
PTI quoted Dr Randip as saying, "She had told me about 36 hours of continuous duty, discrimination in allotment of shifts in the roster, and the acute mental pressure she was in as she had seen many irregularities in the purchase of medicines and medical equipment. I asked her if everyone was given similar shifts, she replied in the negative."
The mental health specialist said the post-graduate trainee (PGT), was expected to return for additional counselling sessions, but unfortunately, this never materialised.
Previously, the victim's parents and some colleagues had indicated that she faced victimisation for exposing certain irregularities in the hospital's procurement of medicines and equipment, which she discovered during her shifts.
Also read: Was gang rape, destruction of evidence considered in RG Kar case, HC asks CBI
The former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr Sandip Ghosh, was apprehended regarding alleged financial misconduct at the institution during the time of the incident.
Various Trinamool Congress leaders consistently emphasised their support for a thorough CBI investigation. However, they accused the Left and certain groups of making false allegations against the administration to discredit the state government and healthcare professionals.
On Monday, the Calcutta High Court instructed the CBI to present the case diary at the next hearing, questioning whether the investigation considered possibilities of gang rape or evidence tampering.
The doctor's remains were found in the hospital's seminar room in north Kolkata on August 9, 2024.
Sanjay Roy, previously a civic volunteer, was arrested by local police for the rape and murder. The CBI, which later assumed control of the investigation following court orders, maintained Roy as the sole suspect. The trial court imposed a life sentence on Roy in January, extending until his natural death.