NEW DELHI – On Monday, a court in India sentenced a police volunteer to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor last year. This heinous crime prompted widespread protests across the nation, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding women’s safety and leading to an expedited judiciary process in a typically slow-moving legal system.
Sanjay Roy, 33, who has always claimed his innocence, has the option to appeal the verdict in a higher court. The tragic death of the 31-year-old doctor while she was on duty at a Kolkata hospital underscored the persistent issue of violence against women in India. Her lifeless body was discovered in a seminar hall at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 of the previous year. An examination revealed that she had been subjected to strangulation and sexual assault.
The federal police investigating the case argued that the severity of the crime warranted the death penalty. The victim’s parents also advocated for the death penalty for Roy, suggesting the possibility that others might have been complicit in the crime. Initially, the investigation was conducted by local Kolkata police, but it was later reassigned to federal authorities after state officers faced allegations of mishandling the inquiry.
In response to the attack, medical professionals and students across the country organized protests, calling for improved safety measures. Thousands of women took to the streets, demanding justice for the victim and urging that the case be resolved swiftly. Roy was apprehended just one day after the incident, and legal proceedings commenced in November, spurring the Supreme Court of India to establish a national task force aimed at enhancing safety protocols within governmental healthcare facilities.
There is a significant issue of underreporting related to crimes against women in India, primarily due to the societal stigma associated with sexual violence and the lack of trust in law enforcement. Activists advocating for women’s rights emphasize that these issues are particularly pronounced in rural regions, where communities may shame victims of sexual assault, leaving families concerned about their reputation.
The gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student in 2012 on a bus in New Delhi sparked widespread protests throughout India, prompting legislative changes that imposed stricter penalties for such offenses. This incident also led to the establishment of fast-track courts dedicated to handling rape cases, and the introduction of the death penalty for repeat offenders. In 2020, four individuals sentenced to death related to the 2012 incident were executed.
Amendments to the rape laws in 2013 further criminalized offenses such as stalking and voyeurism, and adjusted the age for adult trials from 18 to 16. Despite these changes, activists contend that new sentencing measures have not effectively deterred sexual assaults, as evidenced by a rise in reported rape cases. The National Crime Records Bureau indicated that police recorded 31,516 incidents of rape in 2022, marking a substantial 20% increase from the previous year.
