In a landmark verdict, a Kolkata court has found a police volunteer guilty of the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor last August. The horrific crime, which took place when the victim was on duty at a government hospital, sparked nationwide outrage and protests demanding justice and better safety for women across India.
Such was the public pressure surrounding the case that it was fast-tracked through India’s notoriously slow legal system, with the trial concluding in just five months. The accused, 33-year-old Sanjay Roy, was arrested a day after the trainee doctor’s body was discovered in the hospital’s seminar hall. An autopsy revealed she had been strangled to death after being sexually assaulted.
Nationwide Protests Demanding Justice
The brutal crime sent shockwaves through India and galvanized the nation into action. Thousands poured into the streets demanding justice for the victim and better protection for women and girls.
- Doctors and medical students held rallies across the country calling for enhanced security at hospitals
- Women’s rights activists organized “Reclaim the Night” marches in major cities
- Some protesters demanded the death penalty for the accused rapist and murderer
The massive public pressure prompted India’s Supreme Court to set up a taskforce to recommend safety measures for women in government hospitals. However, activists say much more needs to be done to address the root causes of violence against women in India.
“This case may have gotten attention because of the victim’s profession, but countless women are raped and murdered every day without any justice. We need societal change, not just fast-track courts.”
– Kavita Krishnan, Women’s Rights Activist
Parallels to 2012 Delhi Gang Rape
Many have drawn parallels between this case and the horrific 2012 gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a Delhi bus, which also led to nationwide protests. The fallout from that case forced lawmakers to introduce tougher penalties for sexual violence, including the death penalty for repeat rape offenders.
However, conviction rates remain low and the number of reported rapes has actually increased in recent years. According to government data, police registered over 31,000 rape cases in 2022 alone – a 20% jump from the previous year.
Barriers to Reporting Sexual Violence
Women’s rights advocates say the real numbers are likely much higher, as sexual violence often goes unreported due to:
- Stigma and victim-blaming attitudes
- Lack of faith in a male-dominated police force
- Fear of retribution from perpetrators
- Family pressure to avoid “bringing shame”
The problem is especially acute in rural areas, where regressive attitudes about women’s rights and family “honor” enable a culture of silence around sexual violence. Without broader social change to empower women and shift harmful gender norms, activists warn that even the harshest punishments will fail to curb rampant sexual violence in India.
Sentencing Set for Monday
With a guilty verdict now delivered in the Kolkata doctor rape case, all eyes are on the sentencing, which is scheduled for Monday. The convict faces a minimum punishment of life imprisonment, with some calling for the death penalty.
However, in a country where most rapists still walk free, any form of serious punishment would send a strong message. But whether this case proves to be a real turning point in India’s fight against sexual violence remains to be seen.
