Kolkata Intern Doctor Rape and Murder Case

In August 2025, a 31-year-old female intern doctor, Moumita Debnath, was found raped and murdered in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, India, after a 36-hour shift. The brutal crime sparked nationwide outrage. Police arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, who was later charged. The case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation amid allegations of local police mishandling and evidence tampering. The incident highlighted the endemic issue of violence against women and the unsafe working conditions for medical professionals in India, leading to massive protests and strikes by doctors demanding justice and enhanced security.

The trial was fast-tracked in a sessions court. In a verdict delivered a few months after the crime, the judge found Sanjay Roy guilty of rape and murder. The judgment is pending sentencing, with the prosecution pushing for the death penalty, describing it as one of the rarest of rare cases.

The main controversies centered on the alleged mishandling of the initial investigation by Kolkata Police, suspicions of evidence tampering and a cover-up attempt, the demand for the death penalty for the sole accused, Sanjay Roy, and the broader systemic failure to ensure workplace safety for women, particularly in government-run institutions.

The case triggered nationwide protests by doctors and medical associations, severely disrupting healthcare services. It reignited a fierce public debate on women's safety in India, leading to calls for a central law for the protection of healthcare workers. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance, forming a national task force to formulate safety protocols for medical professionals, marking a significant push for institutional reform.