In India, a man convicted of raping and murdering a doctor in Calcutta

An Indian court on Saturday, January 18, declared a man guilty of the rape and murder of a doctor in August 2024 in Calcutta, a crime that sparked outrage across the country, which has a chronic problem of violence against women. . Huge demonstrations took place across India and healthcare workers went on strike.

Sanjoy Roy, a 33-year-old volunteer working at the hospital where the 31-year-old doctor’s bloodied body was discovered, has pleaded not guilty, saying he is “victim of a frame-up”. The trial was fast-tracked through India’s usually slow justice system and closing arguments concluded less than 10 days ago. “The sentence will be pronounced on Monday”said the president of the court, Anirban Das, after the verdict was announced.

Sanjoy Roy was taken to the court in Calcutta, in the east of the country, by a prison van. A crowd of demonstrators gathered in front of the court, where a large police force was deployed. “Hang him!, hang him!” »chanted the protesters.

The victim’s family, whose identities have not been revealed in accordance with Indian law on reporting cases of sexual violence, also called for her to be sentenced to death. “Ordinary people will lose confidence in the judicial system if they are not sentenced to the death penalty”the victim’s mother told Agence France-Presse (AFP), sitting a few meters from Sanjoy Roy when the verdict was announced. “He brutally snuffed out our daughter’s life. He deserves the same fate”added his father.

This crime aroused anger and some healthcare workers went on strike and demonstrated, demanding stricter security measures in public hospitals. Sanjoy Roy was arrested the day after the discovery of the victim’s body.

At the end of the demonstrations, the Supreme Court of India ordered the creation of a working group, composed of doctors, which will prepare a plan to prevent violence in hospital establishments.

This crime was reminiscent of that suffered by a young woman on a bus in the capital New Delhi in 2012, which also sparked a wave of indignation throughout the country and a several-day strike by health workers.