Kolkata Doctor Case Full Story – Rape-murder

The Kolkata doctor rape-murder case refers to a tragic incident that took place in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, in August 2023. A female doctor, Dr. Arpita Ghosh, was found murdered in her flat in the Bansdroni area of the city. The case shocked the nation due to the brutality of the crime.

The Kolkata doctor rape-murder case in August 2023 involved the brutal killing of Dr. Arpita Ghosh, a 37-year-old anaesthesiologist, in her apartment in the Bansdroni area of Kolkata. The police discovered her body after her family reported her missing, and the investigation revealed she had been sexually assaulted and strangled. The crime quickly led to the arrest of a neighbour, Abhishek Singh, who allegedly confessed to the murder, claiming it was driven by anger after she rejected his advances.

This tragic case shocked the nation and sparked widespread outrage, particularly because the victim was a respected medical professional. The brutality of the crime brought renewed focus to the dangers women face, especially those living alone, and highlighted the need for stronger measures to ensure their safety. As the legal proceedings against Singh began, the case fuelled public discussions about the persistent issue of violence against women in India and the necessity for more effective laws and enforcement to protect women from such heinous acts.

The tragic rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital have sparked nationwide outrage, leading to protests by junior doctors who have stopped working to demand justice for her.

Recently, some doctors who reviewed the autopsy report suggested the possibility of gang rape. In an interview with India Today TV, Dr. Subarna Goswami highlighted that the injuries sustained by the 31-year-old doctor were too severe to have been caused by just one person. She pointed out that the autopsy revealed 151 mg of liquid (semen) from the vaginal swab, indicating the involvement of multiple individuals.

The Night of the Crime – Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder case

On the night of the crime, the second-year postgraduate trainee doctor had dinner with her juniors and went to rest around 2 am. Lacking sufficient rest areas in the hospital, she decided to sleep in the seminar hall, believing it to be a safe place. However, the next morning, on August 9, her semi-nude body was discovered in the seminar hall.

Autopsy Revelations

The preliminary autopsy confirmed that the doctor had been sexually assaulted before her murder, ruling out suicide. The examination revealed multiple injuries, broken bones, and significant bleeding from various parts of her body. It also suggested that her nose and mouth had been covered, and her head was forcefully pressed against a wall or floor to silence her. The crime is believed to have taken place between 3 am and 6 am, with clear signs of strangulation and smothering.

Arrests and Investigation Progress

Police arrested 33-year-old Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, in connection with the crime after key evidence, such as a torn Bluetooth earphone, linked him to the incident. Roy’s access to different hospital areas, facilitated by his connections with senior police officers and hospital staff, raised suspicions. Additionally, allegations about Roy’s past behavior, including previous incidents of abuse and his habit of watching pornography, also came to light during the investigation.

Government Response and Measures

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for the death penalty for the accused and voiced support for the protesting doctors, urging them to continue patient care despite the demonstrations. To boost security for healthcare workers, the state government has set up police camps in hospitals. They have also committed to transferring the case to the CBI if the local police fail to show significant progress by the weekend.

CBI Takes Over Investigation and Strikes End

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the case after the Calcutta High Court moved it from the Kolkata police. The court questioned why the police had labeled the case as an unnatural death and why there was a delay in taking the statement from former principal Sandip Ghosh.

The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has ended its indefinite strike, which started over the alleged rape and murder of a female doctor at a Kolkata medical college. They decided to stop the strike after Union Health Minister JP Nadda promised to address their concerns. Meanwhile, other medical groups like the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) will keep striking until their demands are met. FORDA was assured that no legal action would be taken against the protesting doctors, but AIIMS Delhi warned that such protests could violate a high court order and result in legal consequences.

Societal Attitudes and the Need for Change in Addressing Violence Against Women

This case shows a troubling side of how society views rape and violence against women. Even though there have been improvements in laws and social attitudes, old prejudices and a lack of understanding still lead to blaming the victim and weak responses to such serious crimes. It’s clear that society needs to change to create a respectful and fair environment where victims get help and offenders are punished quickly. The strong reactions from the public and the legal system highlight a growing awareness and push for better actions. This shows how important it is to keep working hard to prevent and deal with violence against women.

I hope Dr. Arpita Ghosh’s parents receive justice as soon as possible. Going forward, such crimes should be deterred by a strong fear of the law.