100 days since RG Kar rape-murder, victim's parents flag off rally in Kolkata

Parents of a 31-year-old trainee doctor, raped and murdered in Kolkata in August, flagged off a cycle rally with 200 participants, demanding justice and marking over 100 days since the crime.

In Short

• 100 cyclists, 100 torch-bearers joined protest rally in Kolkata
• Rally route covered victim's home and RG Kar Hospital
• Participants observed silence for 31-year-old trainee doctor

Parents of the 31-year-old trainee doctor, who was raped and murdered at a state-run hospital in Kolkata in August, on Sunday flagged off a cycle rally in the capital city to mark 100 days of the brutal crime against their daughter.

The victim's parents flagged off the rally, organised by activist group Abhaya Manch, from their residence. A total of 100 cyclists and 100 torch-bearing protestors participated in the march, with some carrying the national flag, while others chanting the rally's slogan: “We want justice, we won't give up until we get it".

The rally proceeded from the victim’s residence, passed RG Kar Hospital, and ended at Shyambazar Crossing in Kolkata.

At the end, 100 torches were handed over to representatives from various districts. They will carry the symbol of flame to their districts.

Participants observed a 100-second silence to honour the trainee doctor, whose body was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, sparking outrage across the country.

"We will get justice, there is nothing to be disappointed about. We have to continue the movement properly. If we don't get justice, we will grab it," the victim's father said before the start of the rally.

"Not only 100 days, rather we are counting every minute, every second and every day in the hope of justice. That phone call on August 9 lit the fire in our heart that is still burning today," the victim's mother said.

Doctors and members of Abhaya Manch expressed dissatisfaction with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its slow progress in the Abhaya case, vowing to continue their fight for justice.

Dr Purnabrata Gun, a senior member of the movement, said, “We must keep the fight alive until Abhaya gets justice. We believed the CBI would expedite the investigation, but that hasn’t happened. Without sustained protests, the investigation will lose momentum.”

Several speakers at the event echoed the call for the CBI to accelerate its probe.

Dr Jyotirmoy, another prominent protester, reaffirmed the doctors' commitment to the cause. “We won’t stop until justice is served. We’ve endured summers, rain, festivals, and now winters—our fight continues,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Ujjwal Banerjee, a senior figure in the movement, condemned the recent transfer of two protesting doctors from Jalpaiguri to Murshidabad. “We demand the health department apologise and reverse this order. Such actions will not deter us,” Banerjee said.

The Abhaya Manch has pledged to maintain pressure on authorities until meaningful action is taken in the case.

Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was arrested by the Kolkata Police a day after the incident.

Roy faces charges under Section 103(1) (punishment for murder), Section 64 (punishment for rape), and Section 66 (punishment for causing death or resulting in a persistent vegetative state) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with trials underway.

Last month, the CBI identified Roy as the "sole prime accused" in its initial chargesheet, noting a potential "bigger conspiracy" behind the crime.