Indian doctors stage nationwide strike over colleague's rape and murder

Indian doctors launch a nationwide strike Saturday, escalating protests after the "barbaric" rape and murder of their colleague that has channelled outrage at the chronic issue of violence against women. The discovery of the 31-year-old doctor's bloodied body on August 9 at a state-run hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata sparked furious protests in several cities across the country.

The murdered doctor was found in the teaching hospital's seminar hall, suggesting she had gone there for a rest during a 36-hour shift. An autopsy confirmed sexual assault and, in a petition to the court, the victim's parents said they suspected their daughter was gang-raped.

One man, who worked at the hospital helping people navigate busy queues, has been detained. However, Kolkata's police were accused by an angry public of mishandling the case and the city's High Court transferred the investigation to India's top Central Bureau of Investigation to "inspire public confidence".