AIRF AFFILIATES PROTEST AGAINST BRUTAL RAPE & MURDER OF KOLKATA DOCTOR

(Report Submitted by Com Divya Sharma, NRMU and Compiled by Com Kona Vishnu, Coordinator, International Affairs & Coordinator Social Media, AIRF, INDIA)

        AIRF & Affiliates all over Indian Railways registered Strong Protest on 21st August 2024 over the brutal rape and murder of a Post graduate Doctor in Kolkata. It may be noted that a 2nd year Post Graduate Student was raped and murdered on 09th August 2024. 

        An autopsy revealed that she had been raped and sexually assaulted before being killed via strangulation. The report also noted a deep wound in her genital tract, lips, left leg, right hand, ring finger, neck, and face. The report revealed that the scratch marks on the woman's face were likely caused by the accused's fingernails. According to the report, pressure was applied to her mouth and throat, and she was strangled, resulting in a fracture of the thyroid cartilage. The report also noted bleeding from her eyes, mouth, and private parts, with the injuries in her genital area attributed to "perverted sexuality" and "genital torture." The exact cause of the injuries to her eyes remains undetermined.

        The postmortem report also revealed that around 150 mg of semen was found in the vaginal swab. This finding, along with the extent of injuries, led the doctors who performed the autopsy and the victim's parents to suggest the woman doctor may have been subjected to a gang rape.

        All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) and all its affiliates on Indian Railways in all the 17 zones and 8 production units took out huge rallies protesting against the beastly act and killing of the Doctor demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. Most vociferous women speakers even demanded ‘Capital Punishment’ to such demons and pointed out that that the ‘lengthy and slow legal system’ has only helped the the perpetrators of such crimes to escape as the public memory fades over time. Some of them even demanded immediate justice like hanging the culprits in public. Com Shiva Gopal Mishra, General Secretary, All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) participating in the protest meet at New Delhi said “AIRF & Affiliates have been sensitizing the staff and advocating for Gender Equality in line with ITF’s advocacy programmes, it is really unfortunate that the legal system has to be revamped and stricter laws need to be promulgated to avoid recurrence of such brutal acts”. All the staff observed 2 minutes as a mark of respect to the departed soul.