The horrific rape case involving a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata has deeply shocked the nation, with widespread demands for justice. The CBI has taken over the investigation, and numerous politicians, journalists, celebrities, and concerned citizens have condemned the crime and called for the immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
However, some individuals, unworthy of being called human, are mocking the victim and the crime, and even glorifying the accused. One such person, identified as Mehtaab and reportedly from Karachi, Pakistan, has used social media to praise the perpetrators and demean the victim. He even suggested that he should have been part of the group that brutally assaulted the doctor during her night shift at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.
On Facebook, individuals such as Rabia Shah, Almas Chaudhury, and Istiak Ahmed have callously mocked the brutal rape incident by crudely suggesting that the victim’s doctor managed to ‘satisfy’ 8-10 people at once. They further showed their contempt by using the phrase ‘Rape in Peace’ instead of ‘Rest in Peace’ while pretending to pay tribute to the woman.
Another individual, identified as Rakesh Babesh, who claims to be a Brahmin from Delhi, referred to the incident as ‘hot.’ In response to a comment detailing the horrific assault endured by the lady doctor on the night of August 9, when she was raped and murdered by 8-10 men while on duty, Babesh commented, “That’s so hot.” This disturbing remark elicited laughter reactions from several other users.
Amidst the controversy, some users also engaged in body-shaming the victim, suggesting she did not deserve the attention she received. A user named Tushal Moge Wala commented, “That victim doctor was not that beautiful, so she didn’t deserve this much attention. I don’t know what those people liked about her. Another incident showing that in India a below-average girl can also attract 10 boys.” These derogatory remarks, though not independently verified, are circulating widely on social media.
The disturbing social media posts and incidents do not end here. Some individuals have created fake Instagram accounts in the name of the rape victim, mockingly labeling her a ‘comedian.’ One such account, found by OpIndia, called for justice for the rape while derisively referring to the victim as a ‘comedian.’ This account has since been deleted.
One user, going by the name Soumill, made a derogatory comment that body-shamed the victim. He said, “No disrespect to her but what happened to guys man? Are you really that desperate to ejaculate inside a woman who is not even pretty? 10 guys. Clown world.”
On August 16, the Kolkata Police updated that 25 individuals had been arrested in connection with the RG Kar hospital vandalism, with four more identified through social media tips. The vandalism occurred on August 14 at midnight when, according to allegations by the BJP, TMC supporters entered the hospital and attempted to destroy evidence related to the case after the CBI took over the investigation.
Update: As of now, we have made 25 arrests in relation to the vandalism at R.G. Kar Hospital on Wednesday night. Four more suspects were identified by netizens from our social media posts. The search for the remaining suspects is ongoing. Thank you once again for your support. pic.twitter.com/AlaIU23KOV
— Kolkata Police (@KolkataPolice) August 16, 2024
Opposition parties have alleged that the Kolkata Police and the state government initially attempted to cover up the case by labeling it as a ‘suicide.’ The girl’s parents were initially informed by the hospital administration that she had committed suicide. However, it was later revealed that she had been brutally raped and murdered by approximately 10 individuals, none of whom have been arrested yet.
On August 9, the semi-nude body of a female PG trainee doctor was discovered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, a government-run facility. Her father alleged that she was raped and killed inside the hospital and that there were attempts to “conceal the truth.”
The doctor had shared a meal with four coworkers at 2:30 am that night after watching Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event during the Paris Olympics. She then went to the seminar hall to rest. Sanjay Roy, the main suspect in the case, had access to the hospital as he worked at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital police outpost. Though not affiliated with the institution, he frequently visited. CCTV footage showed him entering the premises where the doctor was found, leading to his arrest on August 10. After committing the crime, Roy returned home, cleaned his outfit to remove any evidence, and was later found with bloodstained shoes.
The post-mortem report revealed that the doctor had been brutally tortured and suffocated. It stated that she had been strangled, and “perverted sexuality” and “genital torture” had caused severe injuries to her private parts. Her thyroid cartilage was also shattered. According to sources, the rape and murder likely occurred between 3 and 5 am on August 9, with her lips, fingers, left leg, and abdomen all showing signs of injury.
According to sources, the doctor’s head was violently slammed against a wall or the floor, resulting in severe injuries. Her mouth and nose were forcibly closed to prevent her from crying out. The accused reportedly assaulted her as she tried to resist, before proceeding to rape and murder her. The autopsy revealed cuts on her hands and face, and shards of broken glass from her spectacles had entered her eyes after a violent blow. The initial post-mortem report ruled out suicide, confirming that she was sexually assaulted before being killed.
Conclusion
Incidents like these provoke widespread outrage among the public, leading to demands for justice and questioning the safety of women in the country. Statistics show that India experienced 90 rapes per day until 2022, with numbers continuing to rise into 2024. The brutal gang rape and murder of a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern in Delhi in 2012 led to stricter sexual violence laws, but safety for women remains a significant concern.
According to the NCB, the conviction rates for rape ranged from 27% to 28% between 2018 and 2022, making it the second lowest conviction rate among violent crimes such as murder and kidnapping. High-profile cases, like the execution of a man for raping and murdering a baby girl in 2018 and the police shooting of four men involved in the gang-rape of a veterinarian in 2019, have highlighted the issue. The 2020 gang-rape of a 19-year-old in Hathras, who later died in hospital, also sparked widespread outrage.
These instances reflect a troubling societal mindset and underscore the need for strong condemnation of violence against women. Those who commit these crimes, as well as those who justify or mock them, must face severe punishment. In a country that reveres women as ‘Bharat Mata,’ ensuring the safety, freedom, and independence of women is crucial.
