‘It’s no less than torture’: Rape and murder of female doctor sparks fear in India

The brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor has sparked fury across India and an outpouring of emotion from women who are tired of feeling unsafe.

On August 9, a 31-year-old trainee doctor was reported missing by her colleagues. Around 11.30am, her body was discovered in a college seminar room at R.G. Kar Medical College in North Kolkata, India.

There were no designated sleeping areas for doctors on breaks, so she had gone into the seminar room in the hope of getting some rest. 

Her body was discovered partially nude, with her eyes, mouth and genitals reportedly bleeding. Authorities had initially told her family she had died by suicide and didn’t allow them to see her body.

But reports claim that 150mg of semen was discovered in her – much more than the average amount after a sexual encounter – leading to rumours of multiple men being involved. But Kolkata Police have denied this.

An autopsy later discovered she had been raped and sexually assaulted before being strangled.

Her death has sparked mass protests across India while doctors have gone on strike.

Hospital volunteer Sanjoy Roy has been arrested in connection with the case, and is believed to have had ‘unrestricted access’ to the ward, with no background checks performed prior to his hiring. 

The father of the 31-year-old woman told local media: ‘All the men and women who are supporting me are like my children and I stand with them. We are getting a lot of support, but I need justice for my daughter. 

‘I hope the culprit who is behind my daughter’s rape and murder – she did not die on her own – gets the harshest punishment.’

Protests and strikes have led to Dr Sandip Ghosh, principal of the college, resigning.

Female employees in India – not just in the medical field – are at their breaking point. 

Metro.co.uk spoke to young female doctors – who work in similar positions to the victim – about their uncertainty in the workplace.

‘Residency in India is no less than torture’

26-year-old final year resident Dr Sayali works at a government medical college in Maharashtra, India. She told Metro.co.uk that she hasn’t experienced first hand harassment at work, but many of her close friends and colleagues have experienced it.

Dr Sayali recalled one recent incident where her intern was posted to a rural health setup with a male colleague who attempted to sexually assault her after drinking.

She explained: ‘At night there were no proper living quarters. They both stayed in the health camp area alone at night.  She had to push the guy out of her room and stay locked the entire night. 

‘After the episode, no official steps were taken. It was an open secret but the general attitude was that she should not make a”fuss” about it and just complete her degree.’

The medical system in India needs ‘serious reforms’, Dr Sayali says, with the most recent unrest being just the ‘tip of the iceberg.’

‘Residency in India is no less than torture. And I am not exaggerating. It is common to hear people say, “I’m lucky I came out alive.” 

“We have been bearing this and thinking, “this is just how it is, how it has been and how it always will be.” But in recent years there has been an exponential rise in attacks on doctors. 

‘We have had protests in the past too but no government has taken any concrete measures. This time we aren’t going to stay calm. 

‘What happened in Kolkata is unacceptable. This time is different.’

‘Justice delayed is justice denied’

Dr Aditi Nagapurkar, 27, is a a final year resident doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology at Government Medical College and Hospital Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.

She also told Metro.co.uk the recent rape and murder in Kolkata was deeply disturbing to see – and it highlights multiple issues and shortcomings for women’s safety.

Dr Nagapurkar cited poor working conditions in her own hospital, with lack of sanitation, security and access to patients.

She said: ‘An unbiased and unprejudiced investigation should commence to ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted without delay.

‘As it is said, justice delayed is justice denied, and swift action should be taken to help restore some faith in the system.’

‘We’re still living in 2012’

Thousands of doctors have been striking and demanding action be taken to keep their colleagues safe.

But comparisons have also been drawn to an incident in 2012, when a woman, referenced by the pseudonym Nirbhaya – was brutally gang raped and murdered on a train.

After her death, some changes to legislation in India were made surrounding rape, but the mother of the doctor most recently raped and killed has questioned if anything will be done this time.

She told local media: ‘Whenever any such incident happens, people start bringing up Nirbhaya.

‘But what we have learnt from the Nirbhaya incident and the movement that followed in her support? We are still living in 2012.’

Dr Nagapurkar added: ‘The 2012 Delhi gang rape case, which sparked nationwide protests and led to some legal reforms, was a sensitizing movement. However, despite the changes it has instilled, the persistence of violence against women in India hasn’t dwindled.

‘The anger and grief within the community are palpable, as they rally not just for justice for their fallen colleague but also for systemic changes that ensure such a tragedy never occurs again.

‘The unrest highlights a deep-seated need for better protection and respect for those who dedicate their lives to saving others. The hope is that lessons from the past can guide this movement to push for more meaningful, comprehensive change.’

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