10 Days Of Kolkata Rape And Murder: 21 Severe Rape Cases In 10 Days, Here's What Happened Between August 9-19, 2024

If you've been following newspapers, news channels, social media, or digital news websites, you're likely aware of the nationwide outrage over the incident in Kolkata. Protests are erupting across the country, highlighting the evident lack of stringent measures for women's safety in India.

Writing this story fills me with despair, as rape occurs every 16 minutes in India. This means that while it takes me three hours to complete this story, somewhere in the country, a girl is likely crying out in distress to protect her dignity.

Though we take pride in our country's culture and civilisation, the recent events following the Kolkata incident reveal that perhaps we have little to boast about.

Kolkata Rape Case Investigations Over The Past 10 Days:

• The CBI will conduct a narco test on the accused, Sanjay Roy.
• A National Task Force for Doctors will be established to oversee hospital security and set regulations.
• The Supreme Court has requested a report from the CBI by Thursday, August 22, 2024.
• During the Supreme Court hearing, concerns were raised about the safety of doctors, emphasising the need for a secure environment for medical professionals.
• Protests have erupted nationwide in response to the incident.
• The case has reached the CBI, which has interrogated former Principal Dr Ghosh for 53 hours. The CBI has questioned why the family was not allowed to see Dr Ghosh’s body for three hours.
• Police have arrested Sanjay Roy, identified from CCTV footage, who has prior assault charges and four marriages. Surprisingly, this individual was previously associated with law enforcement.
• The wing where the incident occurred was damaged under the guise of renovation, which is considered as tampering with the crime scene.
• In the past 10 days, doctors at RG Kar Hospital have been attacked. To suppress their peaceful protests, thugs have vandalised the hospital.

Incidents Within 24 Hours Of The Kolkata Rape And Murder Case

Following the death of a junior doctor in Kolkata, which sparked global protests, sexual assaults continued to occur in India. The case came to light on August 9, 2024 and by August 10, 2024, four rape cases had already made the news. It’s important to note that these are just the reported incidents covered by the media. In India, a sexual crime occurs every eight minutes, highlighting the disturbing reality that while the world raises its voice against such atrocities, numerous predators continue to roam freely within the country.

21 Serious Rape Cases in India Over the Past 10 Days

In the last 10 days, India has witnessed 21 severe rape cases:

• August 9: A nurse in Uttarakhand was brutally raped and murdered, with her mutilated body found the same night as the Kolkata incident. The accused was arrested on August 14.
• August 8-9: A 13-year-old girl in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, was raped by her father. The report was filed on August 15, delayed because the girl's mother died two days later.
• August 12: A government employee raped a 6-year-old Dalit girl and threatened her to keep quiet. The assault was reported by another child playing with her.
• August 12: In Uttarakhand, a teenager was gang-raped by a bus driver, conductor, and others. The 16-year-old girl was assaulted by five individuals.
• August 12: A 14-year-old girl in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, was gang-raped and murdered after refusing to marry one of the accused. Her body was found outside the village with visible injuries.
• In Punjab, a man who eloped with his girlfriend had his sister gang-raped by the girlfriend’s family. The incident, captured on video, was reported by the terrified victim on August 11.
• August 14: In Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, a 14-year-old girl was gang-raped by her friends near her home.
• August 14: In Mumbai’s Saki Naka area, a 9th-grade student raped a 3-year-old girl.
• August 14: An arrest was made in Odisha involving a resident doctor accused of raping two patients at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
• August 14: In Sirohi, a 63-year-old widow was gang-raped and her home was also robbed.
• August 15: In Siliguri, West Bengal, three minors raped a young girl.
• August 16: An 11-year-old girl in Ballia was raped, with the assault captured on video and later shared online. The police have apprehended the suspect.
• August 16: In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a minor girl was raped at her home by someone who had been blackmailing her.
• August 17: A 14-year-old rape victim in Sonbhadra died after being assaulted by her teacher in December of the previous year.
• August 17: In a village in Beohari, Madhya Pradesh, a 69-year-old man raped a minor girl.
• August 18: In Jodhpur, Rajasthan, a 3-year-old girl was abducted and raped by a garbage collector.
• August 18: In Bengaluru, a 22-year-old woman was raped by a biker who offered her a lift after a party.
• August 18: In Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, a Dalit nurse was raped by a doctor. Three individuals have been arrested, including another nurse and a ward boy who forced the nurse into the doctor's room.
• August 18: In Ludhiana, three minor girls were raped.
• August 18: In Delhi, a 22-year-old man raped an 11-year-old girl, luring her with the promise of watching TV.
• August 18: In Andhra Pradesh, a minor girl was raped and tortured by someone who deceived her under the pretence of love.

Protests Over The Past 10 Days:

On the night of August 14, 2024, the "Reclaim the Night" campaign was launched, leading to widespread protests across the country. Many hospitals saw strikes and demonstrations by doctors. In solidarity with the Kolkata rape case victim, doctors announced a nationwide strike on August 17, 2024, halting all non-essential services. Across the country, candlelight marches, street plays, and silent protests took place.

A unified voice is emerging from every corner of the nation: how can we consider ourselves a progressive society amidst such rampant crimes? Despite various political arguments regarding these incidents, the reality remains that crimes against women continue to rise, showing no signs of abating.

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Political Developments In The Kolkata Case:

The Kolkata case has also become a political battleground. Within two days of the incident, there was significant damage to the hospital wing where the crime occurred, under the guise of renovation.

The day after, Principal Dr Sandeep Ghosh of the hospital and medical college resigned. Dr. Ghosh has faced multiple allegations, including financial mismanagement and human trafficking since 2021. Reports suggest that organ trafficking might have been happening at RG Kar Hospital, and the doctor’s murder might have been linked to his knowledge of these activities.

Various political parties have levelled accusations against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government, with demands for her resignation. Banerjee, who has previously been criticised for her comments on rape cases, has now taken to the streets advocating for justice for the victim. However, political manoeuvering and calls for the CM’s resignation seem to overshadow the quest for justice for the victim.

Daily Rape Statistics In India

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), an average of 86 rape cases are reported daily in India. With a rape occurring every 16 minutes, incidents of rape and sexual assault are on the rise. This average translates to between 2,580 and 2,666 rape cases monthly, totalling 31,390 cases annually. These figures reflect reported cases, with many more likely going unreported.

Should We Not Be Ashamed?

As a society, we are failing. I am personally ashamed to be part of a society that cannot guarantee safety for its daughters. Amid slogans like "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao," we seem to have forgotten the core principle of protecting our daughters. The atrocities faced by women are not hidden from anyone, and it is a disgrace that we are forcing our daughters to live in an environment where they are not safe.

There are many questions, but only one answer: if we cannot ensure the protection of women here, then India cannot be considered great.

This article was originally authored by Shruti Dixit for Herzindagi Hindi.

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