The tragic case of 31-year-old Dr. Moumita Debnath, a Kolkata doctor who was brutally raped and murdered, has sent shockwaves across the nation. The horrific crime has sparked widespread outrage, with countless voices rising in unison to demand justice. Politicians, journalists, celebrities, and concerned citizens alike have condemned the heinous act, urging authorities to ensure that the culprits are swiftly brought to justice. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken charge of the case, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the collective demand for accountability.

Amidst the outcry for justice, a disturbing trend has emerged on social media, revealing a horrifying mentality that further deepens the wound caused by this tragedy. Several individuals, who can only be described as inhumane, have taken to mocking the victim and the crime itself, going so far as to glorify the perpetrators. One such person, identified as Mehtaab, reportedly from Karachi, Pakistan, has taken to social media to demean the victim and glorify the accused. In a shocking display of insensitivity, Mehtaab suggested that he should have been part of the group that brutally assaulted Dr. Debnath during her night duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata.

The sickening comments did not stop there. Several others on Facebook, including individuals named Rabia Shah, Almas Chaudhury, and Istiak Ahmed, joined in the mockery, making vile remarks about the incident. These individuals disgustingly claimed that the victim "managed to ‘satisfy’ 8-10 people at a time," turning a crime of unimaginable cruelty into a grotesque joke. Even in their so-called tributes, these users twisted the words of respect into a perverse mockery, saying ‘Rape in Peace’ instead of ‘Rest in Peace.’

The depths of cruelty seem to know no bounds, as more despicable comments emerge in the wake of the horrific rape and murder of 31-year-old Dr. Moumita Debnath. Among the vile voices online, a person identifying as Rakesh Babesh, who claims to be a Brahmin from Delhi, has reduced the tragic incident to a revolting joke. Responding to the details of the barbarity that Dr. Debnath endured on the night of 9th August, where she was brutally assaulted and killed by a group of 8-10 men while on duty, Babesh heartlessly commented, “That’s so hot.” This appalling remark did not go unnoticed; it attracted reactions of laughter from several other users, showcasing a disturbing level of insensitivity and inhumanity.

Adding insult to injury, some users took it upon themselves to body-shame the victim, further demonstrating the vile nature of the online discourse surrounding this tragic event. A user identified as Tushal Moge Wala made a derogatory comment questioning the attention the victim received. He insensitively stated, “That victim doctor was not that beautiful, so she didn’t deserve this much attention. I don’t know what those people liked about her. Another incident showing that in India a below-average girl can also attract 10 boys.” These degrading comments not only objectify the victim but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and attitudes towards women, reducing them to mere objects of physical appearance rather than recognizing their worth as human beings. (It is important to note that none of these comments could be independently verified, though they are widely circulating on social media platforms.)

The situation worsens as some uncivilized individuals have taken their mockery to another level by creating fake Instagram accounts in the name of the rape victim, maliciously labeling her as a ‘comedian.’ One such account, discovered by OpIndia, shockingly calls for justice while simultaneously mocking the victim by branding her a ‘comedian.’ This grotesque act of defamation adds another layer of cruelty to an already heart-wrenching tragedy. Thankfully, the fake account has since been deleted, but the damage and the mindset it reveals are deeply disturbing.

As the nation reels from the tragic and brutal rape and murder of 31-year-old Dr. Moumita Debnath, some individuals continue to display an appalling lack of humanity. Another shocking instance involves a person identified as Soumill, who added to the growing list of derogatory comments aimed at body-shaming the victim. Soumill shamelessly remarked, “No disrespect to her but what happened to guys man? Are yo really that desperate to ejaculate inside a woman who is not even pretty? 10 guys. Clown world.” This vile comment not only disrespects the memory of Dr. Debnath but also reflects the deeply disturbing attitudes some people harbor towards women, reducing them to mere objects of physical attraction.

Meanwhile, the investigation into this heinous crime has seen significant developments. On August 16th, the Kolkata Police provided an update, revealing that 19 persons had been arrested in connection with the RG Kar hospital vandalism case. The vandalism occurred on the night of 14th August, when alleged TMC goons stormed the hospital at midnight, reportedly attempting to destroy evidence related to the case. The BJP has accused these individuals of trying to cover up the crime after the CBI took over the investigation, further complicating an already tragic situation.

The shocking behavior of those mocking the victim online may be rooted in severe psychological traits often associated with antisocial personality disorder and narcissism. Individuals displaying such behavior typically exhibit a profound lack of empathy and a distorted sense of self-importance, where their actions are driven by a desire to assert dominance or gain attention, regardless of the harm caused. The anonymity provided by social media platforms can amplify these tendencies, enabling individuals to express their darkest impulses without facing immediate consequences. This mentality reveals a deep desensitization to violence and suffering, where the tragedy of another's life is reduced to an opportunity for cruel humor or mockery. Such actions not only reflect a gross disrespect for human life but also indicate a chilling indifference to the pain and suffering of others, characteristic of those with deeply ingrained antisocial and narcissistic traits.

Adding to the controversy, opposition parties have claimed that there was an attempt to cover up the crime by initially labeling it as a ‘suicide.’ It was alleged that both the Kolkata Police and the state government were involved in this cover-up. The victim’s parents were reportedly informed by the hospital administration that their daughter had committed suicide. However, as the investigation progressed, it became tragically clear that Dr. Debnath had been brutally raped and murdered by a group of approximately 10 men. Despite these revelations, none of the accused have been arrested so far, raising serious concerns about the handling of the case and the pursuit of justice for Dr. Debnath.

The ongoing investigation and the disturbing social media reactions continue to evoke a sense of outrage and despair. The initial misrepresentation of the crime as a suicide only adds to the pain felt by the victim’s family and the general public. It highlights the challenges faced by those seeking justice in a system where the truth can be easily obscured, and where those in power may attempt to manipulate the narrative for their own ends. The arrest of those involved in the hospital vandalism is a step towards accountability, but the fact that the main perpetrators of the rape and murder remain at large only deepens the anguish surrounding this case.

What exactly happened to the girl on 9th August?

On the tragic night of 9th August, the semi-nude body of a female PG trainee doctor was discovered inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, a government-run institution. The shocking discovery prompted immediate concern and grief, especially from her family. Her father, devastated by the news, asserted that his daughter had been raped and killed within the hospital, and claimed that there were efforts underway to “conceal the truth.”

Earlier that night, the doctor had shared a meal with four of her coworkers at around 2:30 am, after watching Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event during the Paris Olympics. After dinner, she decided to go to the seminar hall to relax. Unfortunately, this decision led her into the path of the main accused, Sanjay Roy. Roy, although not officially affiliated with the institution, had access to every department due to his position at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital police outpost. CCTV footage captured Roy entering the premises where the doctor was later found, which led to his arrest on 10th August. After committing the horrifying act, Roy returned home and slept in late, having already taken steps to cover up his crime by cleaning the outfit he wore. Despite his efforts, the police found bloodstained shoes during a search, which served as crucial evidence against him.

The post-mortem report painted a harrowing picture of the brutality the doctor endured. She was brutally tortured before being suffocated to death. The report, which spanned four pages, detailed how she had been strangled and subjected to “perverted sexuality” and “genital torture,” resulting in severe injuries to her private parts. The brutality did not end there; her thyroid cartilage was shattered, and the injuries she sustained indicated that the attack occurred between 3 and 5 am.

Her body bore the signs of a vicious assault—her lips, fingers, left leg, and abdomen were all covered with injuries. Sources indicated that her head had been slammed against a wall or the floor, leading to severe head injuries. In a desperate attempt to silence her, the accused reportedly squeezed her mouth and nose shut. As she fought back, her attacker beat her mercilessly, leading to even more injuries. The autopsy also revealed cuts on her hands and face, and shards of glass from her broken spectacles had lodged into her eyes after a powerful blow. The initial postmortem conclusively ruled out any possibility of suicide, stating that the trainee doctor had been sexually assaulted before being murdered in cold blood.

A Grim Reality 

Incidents like this one have the power to deeply anger civilized people, driving them to take to the streets in a demand for justice for women. Such horrific crimes provoke public outcry, raising serious questions about the country’s claims of providing a safe environment for women. According to statistics, India experienced an average of 90 rapes every day until 2022, a number that has unfortunately increased as of 2024. Despite legal reforms following the brutal gang rape and murder of a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern on a Delhi bus in 2012, which prompted lawmakers to strengthen laws against sexual violence, the reality is that women in India continue to feel unsafe—whether at workplaces, on the streets, in places of worship, or even in their own homes.

The National Crime Bureau’s (NCB) data shows that conviction rates for rape have fluctuated between 27% and 28% from 2018 to 2022. Sadly, this is the second-lowest conviction rate among five violent crimes, which also include murder, kidnapping, rioting, and causing grievous harm. Despite high-profile cases since 2013 bringing attention to the issue, the daily reality for many women across the country remains grim. In 2018, a 26-year-old man from central India was executed just three weeks after being arrested for raping and murdering a baby girl.

Another stark example occurred in 2019 when four accused men were shot dead by police after they raped and killed a 27-year-old veterinarian near Hyderabad. The men were in police custody at the time, and officers reported that they were shot near the crime scene while allegedly attempting to steal the weapons of the accompanying police officers. The 2020 gang rape of a 19-year-old girl in northern India’s Hathras region, followed by her death weeks later in a hospital, ignited widespread outrage, highlighting the continuing vulnerability of women.

These tragic instances are just a few of the many that reveal the disturbing mentality and widespread violence against women in society. However, the purpose of recounting these stories is not just to catalog atrocities, but to strongly condemn violence against women and to demand justice for the victims. The responsibility for these crimes extends beyond the perpetrators themselves to those who justify rape, objectify women, and mock victims; they are equally deserving of severe punishment. In a country that honors the concept of ‘Bharat Mata’ or ‘Mother India,’ it is imperative that the women within its borders feel safe, free, and independent.