In India, trial starts over rape and murder of Kolkata doctor

Charges were drawn up last week, while the man arrested said he was ‘completely innocent’ and was being framed

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People make posters during a protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government-run hospital in Kolkata. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:49pm, 11 Nov 2024Updated: 1:48am, 12 Nov 2024

A court in the eastern state of West Bengal began the trial on Monday of a police volunteer accused of raping and murdering a doctor at a government hospital in August, a case that has sparked outrage over the lack of safety for women in India.

The woman’s body was found in a classroom at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in the state capital Kolkata on August 9, federal police said. They also said they had arrested a police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, for the crime.

Charges were drawn up last week, while Roy said he was “completely innocent” and was being framed, local media reported.

The legal case has reignited criticism of India’s poor record on women’s safety despite the introduction of tougher laws following the 2012 gang rape and murder of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.

People stand behind an idol wearing a doctor’s coat as they attend a protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee medic at a government-run hospital in Kolkata. Photo: Reuters

It also shines a light on the poor infrastructure and security at government hospitals in India, many of which lack basic facilities including CCTV cameras and security personnel.