Safety for All in India
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This post on Safety for All in India has been created based on article “Murder most foul” published in The Hindu on 20th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS 2- Social Justice

Context: This article addresses the systemic issues of workplace safety for women in India, particularly in the healthcare sector, through the lens of a tragic incident. It discusses the conviction of Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer, for the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at the State-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, 2024.

What was the case about, and what was the verdict?

  1. The case involves the rape and murder of a second-year postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
  2. The accused, Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer, was convicted on January 18, 2025, by the District and Sessions Court, Sealdah. Judge Anirban Das found him guilty under Sections 64 (rape), 66 (causing death), and 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
  3. The punishment ranges from life imprisonment to the death penalty, with sentencing to be announced soon.

What role did the hospital administration play?

  1. The judge raised concerns about the hospital administration’s functioning. Sandip Ghosh, the principal at the time, was arrested by the CBI for evidence tampering and delaying the filing of the FIR.
  2. He was later released on bail due to procedural delays in filing the charge sheet within 90 days.

What lapses were observed in the investigation?

  1. Significant delays in filing the FIR.
  2. Alleged tampering of evidence by hospital authorities.
  3. Inefficient policing and investigative lapses by authorities.

What systemic issues were highlighted by the case?

The incident spotlighted the unsafe working conditions in Kolkata’s State-run hospitals, including:

  1. Lack of basic amenities for workers.
  2. Absence of secure resting spaces for female staff.
  3. Rampant corruption and mismanagement.

What steps has the government taken?

  1. Following widespread protests, the State government announced measures to protect health workers.
  2. However, there is pressure on the administration to ensure these promises are implemented effectively.

What is the broader implication of this case?

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure safety and dignity for women in workplaces, especially in sectors like healthcare, where employees face high levels of stress and inadequate infrastructure.


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