A police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was convicted for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, India, sparking nationwide protests and hospital strikes in August 2023. The victim’s body was found with multiple injuries in the auditorium of RG Kar Medical College, and an autopsy confirmed she had been raped and tortured. Although Roy was arrested the day after the crime, he was not formally charged until nearly two months later and has claimed innocence. The case highlighted the ongoing issue of violence against women in India, leading to protests by young doctors and demands for better security in hospitals. In response to the increase in sexual violence, including a 20% rise in reported rape cases in 2022, India’s Supreme Court established a national task force to enhance safety measures. The incident recalled previous protests, such as the 2012 Delhi gang rape, that prompted reforms in rape laws and tougher penalties. Judge Anirban Das is set to announce Roy’s sentencing, which could range from life imprisonment to the death penalty.
Source link
