KOLKATA RAPE CASE
INTRODUCTION
While India can boast of its cultural diversity, economic growth, and international
competitiveness, the country has always fallen short on one front - the safety of its women.
Although various brutal rapes such as the Mathura rape case or the Nirbhaya rape case have
previously caused public unrest and resulted in multiple policy and legislative reforms, the
recent case of a female doctor left raped and murdered has once again shown that women are
yet to be fully safe in the country.
The case consists of a 31-year-old female doctor who was left brutally raped and murdered in
a seminar hall of a government college in Kolkata on August 9 th. The case immediately
caused a nationwide furore and reached the attention of the masses. Further developments in
the case suggest that the case is not just another brutal case of rape, but also a case of cover-
ups and evidence destruction. In the present case, despite the brutal injury marks on her body
heavily indicating an attack antecedent to her death, initial investigations ruled that the death
was caused due to a suicide, attempting to cover up the injuries sustained by the victim.
Several other such inconsistencies were seen throughout the development of the case raising
questions about the efficiency of the Indian justice system when it comes to protecting its
women.
This article analyses the Kolkata rape and murder case, highlighting the evidential
inconsistencies created in its course. In doing so, the article attempts to answer the broader
question of ensuring justice and fairness in the Indian criminal system.
FACTS OF THE CASE
A female post-graduate doctor’s dead body was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical
College. On August 8th, the trainee doctor entered the seminar hall to rest after a long shift
past 2 a.m. That very day, she was attacked, raped, and murdered with the time of death
estimated to be between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. The following day, once she was found, her parents
were notified. The parents were initially told that the cause of death was suicide.
Subsequently, her parents were not allowed to see the body for three hours since their arrival.
When finally allowed to do so, the parents found their daughter in a semi-nude condition,
having sustained multiple gruesome bodily injuries. The post-mortem report indicated that
her death was caused by smothering and throttling.
Due to state agencies being unable to come up with adequate insights despite following the
investigation, the case is now being handed over to the CBI. Hours after the CBI filed an FIR
they arrested their prime accused in connection to the offence. The accused, a civic volunteer
named Sanjay Roy’s DNA was a perfect match to the traces of blood and skin found under
the victim’s fingernails, possibly occurring during the fight. Sources state that the accused
had gone to the hospital to drink and watch porn. Further, the accused had also been married
four times previously with three marriages ending due to his misconduct with his wife. The
investigation also showed that Roy’s phone contained various violent pornographic videos.
Thus, the agency was able to establish intent, and opportunity. However, the fact still remains
that various pieces of evidence point to this case being one of gang-rape leaving the question
remaining of – Who are the other accused and are they being protected?
The monstrous nature of the case has led to a nationwide outcry, with citizens across the
country showing their solidarity. In light of the developments and inconsistencies with the
case, on 16th August, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a nationwide withdrawal
of doctor services across the country.
INCONSISTENCIES IN THE CASE
A petition in the Calcutta High Court has been moved regarding the horrific crime that
occurred at R.G. Kar Medical College on August 9th. Allegations point towards the
government medical institution being corrupt, with the principal and the HOD of the college
allegedly being among the figures behind the sex and drug racket that was taking place within
the college. The principal of the college is accused of creating a nexus involving medical
interns and postgraduate trainees (PGTs). This network reportedly engaged in unethical
practices such as taking bribes to pass exams and operating illicit activities, including sex and
drug rackets.
The victim in the present case allegedly discovered these activities and threatened to expose
them on social media, having already lodged complaints with the Head of the Department
(HOD) and the principal. However, she was unaware that they were involved in the illegal
network. In response, attempts to intimidate her were made, including vandalizing her car and
subjecting her to gruelling 36-hour shifts. Despite this, she stood firm on her ground,
prompting the perpetrators to plan her removal. The victim was then reportedly raped by an
individual who was coerced into taking the blame and is currently under arrest, with the
expectation that he will be released within six months.
Subsequently, efforts to destroy any evidence of gang rape and murder were made, with the
state police allegedly aiding in these attempts. The washroom where blood was reportedly
washed off was demolished under the guise of renovation, and the seminar room where the
accident allegedly took place was also destroyed.
Furthermore, the petition prayed for a court-ordered investigation and a compliance report
from the West Bengal Government in implementing the Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The case is now under the
jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), leading to hope for justice. The CBI
began its investigation a day before a mob of 7000 people vandalized the RG Kar College.
The state machinery completely failed as the police could not contain the violence resulting
from the actions of the mob, which led to several doctors and students of the college getting
injured.
CONCLUSION
The sheer horror of this incident raises serious questions about the integrity of the
governmental institutions in our country and serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive
corruption. Despite several preventive laws in place, the women of this country are in
constant danger due to the actions of those in power. Additionally, the failure to take
immediate action and prevent the tampering of evidence reveals that the state police were not
proactive in their investigation, and there was a lack of accountability on the part of the state
administration. The nationwide protests by doctors and the closure of non-emergency
services by the Indian Medical Association for 24 hours demonstrate the gravity of the
situation and the need to investigate the matter in furtherance of justice.
