'File FIR within 6 hours': Centre's order to protect health workers

The central government has issued new guidelines to ensure the safety of doctors in response to the growing anger over the brutal rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The Ministry of Health has mandated that all health institutions must register an FIR within six hours if there is any attack or violence against doctors. The Health Ministry's memo, sent to all medical institutions across the country, emphasizes the need for prompt action.

The institution’s head will be held responsible for ensuring that an FIR is filed within the specified time frame following any incident of violence against doctors. The government’s move aims to address the rising concerns over the safety of medical professionals, especially in the wake of the recent horrific incident in Kolkata.

The incident, which occurred on the night of August 9, involved the discovery of the 31-year-old trainee doctor’s body in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College. The body bore injury marks, and it was later revealed that she had been raped before being murdered. The primary suspect, Sanjay Roy, was arrested and has been sent to jail, though investigations continue to determine if others were involved in the crime.