A woman doctor at Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Government Medical College and Hospital in Uluberia, Howrah, was allegedly assaulted and threatened with rape by three men, sparking outrage and renewed concerns over doctors’ safety in West Bengal. Police have arrested all three accused — Sheikh Samrat, Sheikh Babulal (a Home Guard working as a traffic cop), and Sheikh Hasibul — following the doctor’s complaint.
According to police sources, the incident occurred on Monday afternoon after an altercation between the doctor and the patient’s relatives turned violent. The doctor alleged that she was physically assaulted and verbally threatened inside the hospital premises, where no security personnel were present at the time.
The Joint Forum of Doctors condemned the incident and demanded stronger security measures at hospitals. “It’s shocking that such attacks continue despite repeated appeals for protection of medical staff,” the organisation said after visiting the hospital.
The assault has triggered a political blame game between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP.
State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya accused the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to ensure women’s safety. “After the horrific RG Kar incident, nothing has changed. Bengal has become unsafe under Trinamool’s rule,” he said.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar echoed the criticism, calling Bengal “terrifyingly unsafe” for women.
In response, Trinamool spokesperson Arun Chakraborty called the assault “condemnable and unfortunate” but noted that the accused had been promptly arrested. “Action has been taken immediately. BJP should look at incidents involving its own workers before pointing fingers,” he said.
The victim doctor is reportedly traumatised and under counselling, while police said further investigation is underway. The case comes nearly a year after the shocking rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College, which had led to widespread protests across the state.
