A trial begins in India over the rape and murder of a doctor from Calcutta

A court in the eastern state of West Bengal on Monday began the trial of a police volunteer accused of raping and killing a doctor at a government hospital in August, a case that has sparked outrage over the lack of safety for women in India.

The woman’s body was found on August 9 in a classroom at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the capital Kolkata, federal police said. They also said they had arrested a police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, for the crime.

Charges were laid last week, with Roy saying he was “completely innocent” and framed, local media reported.

The trial has revived criticism of India’s poor record on women’s safety, despite the introduction of tougher laws following the gang rape and murder of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi in 2012.

People stand behind an idol, dressed in a doctor's coat, as they attend a protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government-run hospital in Calcutta. Photo: Reuters — People stand behind an idol, dressed in a doctor’s coat, as they attend a protest condemning the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government-run hospital in Calcutta. Photo: Reuters

It also sheds light on the poor infrastructure and security in government hospitals in India, many of which lack basic amenities including CCTV cameras and security staff.