Kathmandu— Medical institutions across West Bengal will observe two minutes of silence on Sunday to honor the memory of a postgraduate trainee doctor, known during protests as "Abhaya," marking the second anniversary of her rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Commemoration of the Tragedy

The West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department issued a notice directing all establishments under its control to observe the silence from 11:00 am to 11:02 am on August 9. The directive seeks to honor the victim, who was found dead in a seminar room on the hospital campus on August 9, 2024.

The incident, involving the 31-year-old doctor, sparked widespread nationwide protests from medical students, doctors, and civil society groups. These demonstrations focused on demands for a transparent investigation and enhanced safety protocols for healthcare professionals working in medical facilities.

Ongoing Legal and Investigative Developments

The investigation into the case continues to evolve through judicial oversight. The Calcutta High Court recently directed a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by the Joint Director (Eastern Zone) of the CBI, to investigate allegations regarding the destruction of evidence.

This specific probe aims to re-examine the sequence of events from the night the victim consumed dinner until her cremation the following day. The CBI has been granted authorization to interrogate any individual deemed necessary to complete this investigation.

Financial Misconduct Allegations

Parallel to the criminal investigation into the murder, authorities are addressing corruption within the institution. On November 29, 2025, the CBI filed a chargesheet regarding financial irregularities at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The chargesheet named several individuals, including Sandip Ghosh, Dr. Ashish Kumar Pandey, Biplab Singha, Suman Hazra, and Afsar Ali Khan, for their alleged involvement in financial misconduct at the hospital.

The state continues to manage the aftermath of the tragedy through ongoing judicial inquiries and specialized investigations.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.