'Cameras in girls' toilets' 'No hidden cameras in washrooms, accused's laptops seized': Krishna SP on Andhra hostel case as students continue protest

 The Ongoing Protests at Gudlavalleru Engineering College A Call for Justice and Accountability

They seize laptops, phones and other electronic gadgets of the suspects, form five-member probe team; students call off 15-hour protest but girls decide to stay away from classes till probe is completed; Naidu directs officials to update him on progress of case

Massive protests continued at Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district on Saturday, a day after students alleged that a hidden camera was installed in the washroom of the girls’ hostel.

Police suspect the role of two senior students, including a girl student, of Seshadri Rao Gudlavalleru Engineering College (GEC), in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh in the alleged fixing of hidden cameras in the girl’s toilet of the college hostel. They seized the laptops, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets of the suspects on Friday, August 30.

A high-level inquiry was initiated into the incident following the intervention of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.

The action follows protests by the students on the college premises since Thursday night, after a few girl students alleged that some miscreants had installed spy cameras in the toilets of the girls’ hostel. Students boycotted classes and continued protests till Friday noon demanding action against the accused.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered an inquiry into the allegations and directed the State Mines Minister K. Ravindra, the Collector and the Superintendent of Police of the district to visit the college. Mr. Naidu told the officials to update him directly on the progress of the investigation.

The students called off the 15-hour protest after Mr. Ravindra, Pedana MLA Kagita Krishna Prasad, Pamarru MLA Varla Kumar Raja, Krishna district Collector D.K. Balaji, and Superintendent of Police R. Gangadhar Rao visited the college and assured them of bringing the culprits to book and rendering justice to them. However, girl students decided not to attend classes till the police complete the investigation.

Protesters alleged that cameras were installed in the women’s toilets a few days ago and that the warden and the college management failed to take any action despite complaints.

Tension prevailed for a while when leaders of the ABVP and other student unions tried to enter the college premises. Police arranged pickets as a precautionary measure.

Speaking to News18, Krishna distict Superintendent of Police (SP) Gangadhar Rao said a thorough probe is being conducted but, so far, the police have not recovered any hidden camera from inside the washroom as alleged by the students.

He also said they have seized two laptops and other electronic devices from the accused identified as Vijay Kumar, a student of the same college, who was zeroed in on based on the testimonies of the girls and some WhatsApp chats.

The students had alleged that nearly 300 obscene videos were recorded and circulated by the accused but the police investigation so far hasn’t been able to trace the videos in question. The SP also said the laptops of the accused were checked in front of the protesting girls and their parents but no video was recovered from the devices.

Meanwhile, protesters continued their demonstration, expressing their anger over the investigation.

Sharanya, a student, said: “What has the management been doing since the last one week? When we lodged a complaint once again on Friday, they paid no heed to that… overnight, they are saying this is fake news and threatening to file a case against us instead.”

The protesting girls also said the management was aware of the issue since a week but did not take action until the demonstration began.

Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission chairperson Gajjala Venkatalakshmi has taken suo moto cognisance of the incident and urged the police to take strict action against the accused. She will also visit the campus on Saturday.

In recent days, the atmosphere at Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, has been charged with intense emotion and urgency as students have mobilized in massive numbers to protest allegations of a deeply troubling incident. Following allegations that a hidden camera was installed in the washroom of the girls' hostel, the campus has transformed into a battleground for students demanding justice and accountability from both the institution's management and local authorities.

On Saturday, protests continued unabated, reflecting growing outrage among the student body. The allegations surfaced amidst claims from students that a fellow student, identified as Vijay Kumar, recorded and circulated approximately 300 obscene videos, capturing private moments without consent. The gravity of these accusations has prompted swift action, including a high-level inquiry initiated by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu himself, highlighting the seriousness with which the government and law enforcement are treating this disturbing event.

Krishna District Superintendent of Police, Gangadhar Rao, has confirmed the ongoing police investigation into the matter. Despite the heightened scrutiny, he noted that investigators have yet to recover any hidden camera from the washroom, as initially alleged by the students. This lack of tangible evidence in the investigation has not dampened the fervor of the protesters, who continue to seek accountability and transparency from both college administration and law enforcement officials.

The police have taken some initial steps in their investigation by seizing two laptops and other electronic devices from Vijay Kumar. The connection to him was established through the testimonies of the affected students, as well as through WhatsApp communications that indicated potential wrongdoing. However, the lack of recovered videos from the accused's devices has added to the frustration of the protesting students. Reports indicate that the laptops were examined in front of the students and their parents, yet no incriminating evidence came to light, leading many to question the efficacy of the investigation thus far.

The students have expressed discontent not only with the alleged invasion of privacy but also with the perceived inaction of the college administration. One of the protesting students, Sharanya, articulated the growing frustration among her peers, stating, “What has the management been doing since the last one week? When we lodged a complaint once again on Friday, they paid no heed to that… overnight, they are saying this is fake news and threatening to file a case against us instead.” This sentiment underscores a significant dissatisfaction with the response from the college, which many believe was tardy and dismissive of serious allegations.

The protests have rapidly gained momentum, with students accusing the management of turning a blind eye to the issue for an entire week prior to the demonstrations. The collective voices of the students reflect a demand for safety and respect, particularly within the confines of their own living spaces. The protests are not merely a response to allegations of wrongdoing but rather an assertion of their right to privacy, dignity, and security as young women in an educational setting.

In light of the evolving situation, the Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission, under the leadership of Chairperson Gajjala Venkatalakshmi, has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident. She has urged the police to expedite their investigation and ensure strict action is taken against those found culpable. Venkatalakshmi's engagement with the matter signifies the urgency of not only addressing these allegations but also fostering a safer environment for women across educational institutions in the state. Her visit to the college underscores the expectation that authorities will prioritize the protection and empowerment of female students, thereby preventing such incidents in the future.

As the protests continue, the students of Gudlavalleru Engineering College are pushing for more than just an investigation; they are advocating for institutional change, accountability, and a guarantee of student safety. The implications of this incident reach far beyond the confines of the college campus; they resonate with broader societal issues surrounding gender-based violence, privacy rights, and the responsibilities of educational institutions to protect their students.

In conclusion, the ongoing protests at Gudlavalleru Engineering College bring to the forefront critical discussions regarding privacy, safety, and institutional responsibility. As investigations unfold, it is vital that all parties involved act with diligence and integrity, paving the way for a just resolution, while also taking significant steps to ensure that such incidents do not repeat in the future. The demands for transparency and accountability echo a broader call for societal change, fostering hope that students, especially young women, can pursue their education in environments that are safe, supportive, and respectful.

Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case Live Updates: 19 arrested for RG Kar hospital vandalism, cops release pics of suspects, IMA calls 24-hour nationwide medical shutdown

Bengal is bracing for a tense Friday with a potential shutdown on the horizon, as CM Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress and opposition parties BJP and CPM plan separate protests focused on RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The recent rape and murder of a postgraduate resident doctor on August 9 has triggered national outrage. So far, Kolkata police have arrested 19 people in connection with the vandalism at RG Kar Hospital, while the IMA has announced a 24-hour closure of non-emergency services. Stay updated with TOI for the latest developments.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Thursday to assess the situation after a recent act of vandalism by unidentified individuals.

During his visit, the Governor engaged with junior doctors who were demonstrating in response to the incident, which occurred shortly after the discovery of the body of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the facility last week.

"I am with you and we will work together to solve this," Governor Bose assured the students. "I promise you justice. My ears and eyes are open," he added, expressing his commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the medical community.

A violent mob attacked the hospital on Wednesday night and vandalised the emergency ward and other parts of the hospital. This led the protesters to withdraw their protest to ensure the safety of the protesting female doctors. The police had to use tear gas to disperse the mob.

Violence erupts at R.G. Kar Hospital during ‘Reclaim the Night’ march

Thousands of women from all walks of life hit the streets across West Bengal at the stroke of midnight today, protesting the horrific ​​rape-murder of a doctor on duty​​ at a Kolkata hospital last week.

Spurred by the ‘Reclaim the Night’ campaign, which gained momentum through social media, the protests began at 11:55 p.m., aligning with Independence Day celebrations, and spread across key areas in both small towns and big cities, including several landmarks in Kolkata. However, the protests were marked by violence in some areas.

 

Concerning the incident, here are the top 10 developments as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case:

1. Accused and Crime: Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, was taken into custody by the CBI for the murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, whose body was discovered last Friday.
2. CBI Investigation: The CBI is conducting a thorough investigation, including a medical examination of Roy and a three-pronged strategy focusing on the crime scene, court presentation, and coordination with Kolkata Police, according to NDTV.
3. Forensic Evidence: The CBI's Special Crime Unit is examining the seminar hall for forensic evidence, such as fingerprints, footprints, hair, and semen, to establish a connection between Roy and the murder.
4. Allegations of Gang-Rape: The victim's parents have alleged that their daughter was gang-raped, supported by forensic evidence indicating 150 mg of semen found in her body- which is indicative of the fact that this is not the deed of just one person, pointing towards a gang rape.
5. Timeline of Events: The autopsy report indicates the trainee doctor suffered multiple injuries and was smothered to death, with a time of death estimated between 3 and 5 am on the day of the incident.
6. Initial Misreporting: The Calcutta High Court is investigating why the murder was initially reported as a suicide and why police involvement occurred later.
7. Ongoing Doctor Protests: Striking doctors are demanding a Central Healthcare Protection Act to enhance safety measures for medical personnel amidst concerns about rising violence against them. Despite the Federation of Resident Doctors' Associations FORDA calling off the strike, various medical organisations, including the resident doctors' association at AIIMS Delhi, continue protesting against inadequate protective measures.
8. Pressure for Arrests: The parents' petition claims that no arrests have been made for potential accomplices, emphasising the complexity of the crime that likely involved more than one perpetrator.
9. Legislative Demands: While 19 states have enacted laws protecting doctors, the striking medical professionals call for uniform national legislation to ensure consistent protection across India.
10. The principal accused of 'victim blaming': Dr Sandip Ghosh, the former head of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was asked to go on leave after concerns were raised over his leadership and response during the case. Dr Ghosh faced backlash for comments perceived as victim-blaming and for failing to maintain adequate safety for staff, after which he resigned from his post. However, in a surprising turn of events, he was reinstated as Principal of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital just 24 hours later.

Tens of thousands of women in West Bengal state marched through the streets on Wednesday night in protest against the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in Kolkata last week.

The Reclaim the Night march was the culmination of nearly a week of frenzied protests ignited by the brutal killing of the 31-year-old at the RG Kar Medical College last Friday.

After a gruelling 36-hour shift, she had fallen asleep in a seminar room due to the lack of a designated rest area.

The next morning, her colleagues discovered her half-naked body on the podium, bearing extensive injuries. A hospital volunteer worker has been arrested in connection with the crime.

Responding to calls on social media, women from all walks of life marched across Kolkata city and throughout the state on a rainy Wednesday night.

Though protests were largely peaceful, they were marred by clashes between the police and a small group of unidentified men who barged into the RG Kar Hospital, the site of the doctor’s murder, and ransacked the emergency department.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the unruly crowd. Some police vehicles were also damaged.

Smaller protests were also held in many other Indian cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune.

In Kolkata, women marched resolutely, holding placards of protest, their faces illuminated by the glow of mobile phones, candlelight and flaming torches. Some carried India's flags. They were joined by men, both young and elderly.

During the marches and at many gatherings near a university, theatre hall and bus terminus, they stood united, holding hands as the humid air echoed with loud and powerful chants of “we want justice”. Protesters blew conch shells - the sound is considered auspicious.

At the stroke of midnight, as India completed 77 years of Independence, the soundscape of protest changed.

The air filled with a spontaneous chorus of the national anthem. Then it began raining, but the protesters walked in the rain, or holding umbrellas over their head.

“We have never seen anything like this before in the city, such a huge gathering of women marching at night,” a reporter belonging to a news network said.

It was a night of barely concealed rage and frustration.

A woman, who joined the march well after midnight with her 13-year-old daughter said: “Let her see whether a mass protest can set things right. Let her become aware of her rights”.

“Women have no respect!” said another. “Our worth is less than cows and goats."

"When do we get our independence? How long do we have to wait to work without fear? Another 50 years?” asked a student.

Sanchari Mukherjee, editor of a digital magazine, said she marched with thousands of others from a bus terminus in Jadavpur, undeterred by the rain.

She met "people of all ages, from all classes, the well-to-do, the middle class and the poor".

"I saw an elderly couple, the husband helping the woman to walk,” she said.

"One family brought their little girl along, perhaps so the memory of this event would be etched in her mind - how her parents stood up against injustice, and how she, too, can protest one day."

Ms Mukherjee said the entire city seemed awake as the marchers passed by illuminated homes, with people peering out of windows and crowding verandahs to watch.

“They may not have participated but they were with us in spirit," she said.

Despite scant resources, Kolkata’s Reclaim the Night march appeared to have been meticulously organised. In an advisory, organisers welcomed women and people from marginalised sexual and gender identities to the march.

“Men are welcome as allies and observers,” the advisory added.

They also emphasised that politicians were not welcome and requested that no party flags be brought to the protest.

It was not the first time that a Reclaim the Night march has been staged in India.

Inspired by similar marches elsewhere in the world by women to assert their rights to walk in public areas without fear, a march was held in 1978 in Bombay (now Mumbai) in protest against the rape of a woman on the street.

Blank Noise, a community-based art project and activist collective, has organised several midnight walks in Delhi to encourage women to assert their right to walk freely at night.

But in terms of scale, the Kolkata march, echoed by smaller ones across other cities, stands as the largest yet.

"We seized the night. We've never seen anything like this in the city. This is unprecedented. I hope it wakes up the authorities," said Chaitali Sen, a protester.

Twelve persons were detained on Thursday (August 15) for vandalism in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said that the incident is a shame to civil society. “I am with you and we will work together to solve this. I assure you justice. My ears and eyes are open,” Mr. Bose told the students after visiting the hospital on Thursday afternoon.

The IMA also condemned the vandalism at the State-run medical college in Kolkata where doctors have been protesting the rape and murder of a woman medic, and called for an emergency meeting with its State branches to decide on the future course of action.

The incident took place amid midnight protests by women against the horrific rape-murder of the doctor at the hospital on August 9, 2024. A group of people, disguised as protestors, entered the hospital premises, vandalised property and pelted stones at policemen, they said.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government saying that the State government is directly responsible for this collapse of public order. BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the vandalism was carried out by “TMC goons” sent by party supremo Mamata Banerjee.

The body of the woman postgraduate trainee was found inside a seminar hall of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. A civic volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime.

 

August 15, 2024 19:50

FORDA resumes strike after backlash from resident doctors

A resident doctors’ federation announced to continue its protest in Delhi, a day after medics slammed it for calling off the agitation following the health ministry’s “verbal” assurance to meet its demands, including bringing a law to curb attacks on medical personnel.

Resident doctors across major government hospitals in Delhi, including AIIMS, VMMC-Safdarjung Hospital and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, shut down elective services on Monday morning and went on strike, demanding better security and safety measures for medical personnel, and the central law.

The announcement by the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Associations (FORDA) came after Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) of many hospitals on Wednesday accused it of taking the decision to end the protest without consulting them and “backstabbing” the medical fraternity.

August 15, 2024 19:33

Swati Maliwal urges Bengal CM to take “strictest action”

Former chief of Delhi Commission for Women Swati Maliwal has written a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to ensure severe punishment for the accused and also for those who are trying to save them.

”The inhuman atrocities inflicted upon this young woman have brought shame upon humanity and triggered widespread protests across the country. As someone who has long advocated for the protection of women’s rights, I have been following this case with close attention, and the more I learn, the deeper my revulsion grows,” Swati Maliwal wrote in a letter to the West Bengal CM.

Left demands Mamata’s resignation as Health and Home minister

The CPI(M)-led Left Front on Thursday demanded the resignation of CM Mamata Banerjee as West Bengal’s Health and Home minister over the violence at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Chief Minister Banerjee holds the Health and Home portfolios.

CPI leader Annie Raja condemns midnight attack at Kolkata hospital

Communist Party of India leader Annie Raja on August 15 condemned the mob violence at the Kolkata hospital where a woman was brutally raped and murdered last week.

“We condemn such mob violence which took place last night. Who should have prevented that? Who is responsible for the law and order situation? It is the State government,” Annie Raja, the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) General Secretary told PTI.

Ms. Raja lamented that while political blame games take place after such incidents, no concrete action is taken to ensure safety of women. “Until and unless all political parties take it as a serious political issue, this can’t be addressed. Finally, who are the victims? Who are the sufferers? It is the women and the girls,” she said.

Agitating doctors meet Bengal Governor, seek help after attacks by hooligans

A group of at least 20 doctors from various State-run medical establishments in Kolkata called on West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on August 15 and sought his intervention after unidentified miscreants vandalised a portion of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, an official said.

The doctors, mostly women, also told Mr. Bose that they were feeling insecure.

The vandalism took place amid midnight protests by women in various parts of the state against the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor in the seminar hall of the RG Kar Hospital last week. -

 

Governor Ananda Bose to visit RG Kar hospital

Official sources said that West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose will be visiting the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital after it was vandalized by a mob on August 14 night. “We will take positive action, which will be acceptable to all. You will get justice,” said Mr. Bose to protesting doctors.

 

Bengal government directly responsible for public order collapse: IMA

After an unidentified mob vandalised the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a statement condemning the violence. The IMA has stated that such vandalism with impunity points to anarchy. The IMA lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government saying that the state government is directly responsible for this collapse of public order.

“RG Kar Medical College which is at the centre of national attention for the past week due to the rape and murder of the Chest medicine PG student has been vandalised by hooligans. The protesting young medical students have been targeted. The authorities who by their negligence had allowed such a heinous crime to happen have once again failed to maintain law and order when the all-important CBI investigations are going on,” the IMA stated.

“Such vandalism with impunity points to anarchy and the breaking down of law and order. The state Government is directly responsible for this collapse of public order. IMA condemns this mindless violence and is apprehensive of the loss of crucial evidence. IMA has called for an emergency consultation meeting with all its state branches today to chart out further action,” the IMA added further.

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#Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case Live Updates

 

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