KOLKATA: A court in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, has begun the trial of police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, who is accused of raping and murdering a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The woman’s body was discovered inside a classroom on August 9, prompting federal police to arrest Roy.
Last week, charges were formally brought against Roy, who declared his innocence and claimed he had been framed, local media reported. This high-profile case has once again brought to the forefront issues surrounding women’s safety in India, a topic of national concern since the 2012 New Delhi bus rape and murder.
The case also highlights the substandard infrastructure and security measures at state-run hospitals in India, which often lack basic security features such as CCTV cameras and adequate security staff.
The trial is expected to be comprehensive, with about 128 witnesses scheduled to testify, according to court sources. Proceedings will be conducted daily in an attempt to speed up the case, although they will be closed to the public.
On the first day of the trial, the victim’s father was among those who testified. In a related development, the Federal Police also arrested the officer in charge of the local police station and the hospital supervisor. They face charges related to alleged tampering with evidence and financial irregularities.
In response to protests and public anger, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met protesters last month and agreed to most of their demands for reforms, as confirmed by participating doctors. However, they pledged to continue monitoring progress on these promises to ensure concrete changes are implemented.