Demonstration in Calcutta during the trial of a man accused of the rape and murder of a doctor, in Calcutta, January 18, 2025. DIBYANGSHU SARKAR / AFP 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 which sparked indignation 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 bloodied body of the 31-year-old doctor was discovered, has pleaded not guilty, claiming to be a “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. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers In India, Calcutta is not calming down more than a month after the rape and murder of a doctor Read later Creation of a working group The victim’s family, including the identity of none of members was revealed, in accordance with Indian law relating to the reporting of cases of sexual violence, also called for him to be sentenced to the death penalty. “Ordinary people will lose confidence in the judicial system if they are not sentenced to the death penalty,” the victim’s mother, seated a few meters from the scene, told Agence France-Presse (AFP). Sanjoy Roy during the verdict. “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. Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content
Author : News7
Publish date : 2025-01-18 12:47:45
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