kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata | August 3, 2026: The second anniversary of the rape and murder of the junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, her mother Ratna Debnath has decided to spend seven days in solitude in remembrance of her daughter. Ratna Debnath, who is also the MLA from Panihati, announced that she will stay away from public life during this period and will not participate in any political or social programmes.

Ratna Debnath has also decided not to communicate with anyone through phone calls or personal meetings during these seven days. She said that the decision has been taken due to personal reasons and as a way to remember her daughter and spend time away from regular public activities.

In a message shared on social media on Sunday night, Ratna Debnath informed people about her temporary withdrawal from public engagements. She clarified that although she will remain unavailable personally, the daily operations of her public relations office will continue as usual. She requested everyone to understand her absence during this period and extend their cooperation.

The decision comes at a deeply emotional time, as the memory of the tragic incident continues to remain fresh. During a recent interaction with journalists, Ratna Debnath spoke about her daughter and recalled the painful moments surrounding the incident. She said that thinking about the unbearable suffering her daughter endured on the night of August 8 still causes immense pain and emotional distress.

The tragic incident took place at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August 2024. On the morning of August 9, 2024, the body of the junior doctor was recovered from the seminar room of the hospital. The investigation revealed that she was allegedly raped and murdered during her duty hours on the night of August 8.

The incident triggered widespread outrage across West Bengal and several other parts of the country. Large-scale protests were witnessed by doctors, students, civil society groups and citizens demanding justice and stronger safety measures for medical professionals and women.

Initially, the Kolkata Police conducted the investigation into the case. However, following directions from the court, the case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed probe. The central agency took over the investigation amid growing public pressure and concerns regarding the handling of the case.

In connection with the case, former Kolkata Police civic volunteer Sanjay Roy was found guilty and is currently serving a life imprisonment sentence. His conviction marked a significant development in the legal proceedings, although questions regarding certain aspects of the case have continued to remain under examination.

following an order from the Calcutta High Court, the CBI has started a fresh investigation into certain aspects of the case under the leadership of a new investigating officer. The agency is reviewing specific elements of the investigation as part of the ongoing legal process.

The RG Kar incident remains one of the most closely followed cases in recent years, with the victim’s family continuing to seek justice and a complete investigation into all aspects of the tragedy. Ratna Debnath’s decision to spend seven days away from public life reflects her personal grief and her desire to remember her daughter privately before the anniversary of the incident.