Kolkata Police Imposes Restrictions Amid Protests Over Doctor's Murder

Following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata Police have enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, prohibiting public gatherings around the hospital. The restrictions aim to curb protests and ensure public safety for seven days.

In response to ongoing demonstrations protesting the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata Police have enforced Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Previously known as Section 144 of the CrPC, the order restricts the assembly of five or more individuals, rallies, and demonstrations around the medical facility for a week, starting Sunday, 18 August.

The proclamation, issued by Commissioner of Police Vineet Kumar Goyal on Saturday, declares: 'In exercise of the power conferred by Sub-Section (1) of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, read with Sub-Section (3) of the said Section, I, Vineet Kumar Goyal, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, being an Executive Magistrate for the Metropolitan area of Kolkata as well as the district of South 24 Parganas (within the limits of the suburbs of Kolkata falling under Kolkata police jurisdiction), do hereby prohibit, for a period of seven (7) days from 18.08.2024 to 24.08.2024, or until further notice, any unlawful assembly of five (5) or more persons, carrying of lathis, any lethal or other dangerous weapons, or the commission of any act likely to cause a breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity within the specified area in the town of Kolkata.'

The order was prompted by information from reliable sources suggesting potential for violent protests, rallies, and meetings, which could disrupt public peace and safety, and obstruct medical personnel in the area. Security concerns were heightened after an incident on 9 August, where a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College, igniting nationwide protests from the medical community. Subsequent unrest on Wednesday saw the hospital campus and surrounding protest grounds vandalized, necessitating police intervention to disperse the crowd.

(With inputs from agencies.)