India is currently witnessing a wave of protests and widespread anger following horrific incident of sexual violence that have left the nation in shock.
The brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College has triggered a nationwide outcry. The medical community, including doctors, residents, students, and various women's organizations, have come together to demand justice for the victim and increased safety measures for women across the country. The issue has garnered so much attention that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the matter in his speech on August 15.
A Tragic Echo in Uttarakhand
While the country was still reeling from the tragedy in Kolkata, another brutal crime surfaced in Uttarakhand. On July 30, a 33-year-old nurse went missing from Rudrapur, a district in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. Her disappearance led to a frantic search, culminating in the discovery of her lifeless body in an empty plot in Bilaspur, Uttar Pradesh, on August 8. The investigation revealed that she had been raped and murdered by a drug addict who later abandoned her body.
The Investigation Begins
The investigation into the nurse's disappearance began promptly on July 31, when her sister filed a missing person report at the Rudrapur Kotwali. The police began piecing together the events leading to her tragic end.
Reports indicated that the victim, a mother of an 11-year-old girl, had been working at a private hospital in Rudrapur. CCTV footage from around Indra Chowk showed her boarding an e-rickshaw after her shift on July 30. The footage also captured a suspicious man trailing her, a key detail that would later help in identifying the culprit.
A Horrific Crime Unveiled
The nurse's body was found on August 8 in an abandoned plot in Bilaspur, Uttar Pradesh. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manjunath T C, of Udham Singh Nagar, confirmed that the decomposed body was indeed that of the missing nurse. The post-mortem report further confirmed the worst: she had been raped and strangled to death.
Further investigation revealed that the accused, Dharmendra, a daily wage laborer from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, had brutally attacked the nurse. He confessed to following her from Indra Chowk, with the initial intention of robbery. However, upon finding a secluded spot, he dragged her into the bushes, raped her, and subsequently strangled her with a scarf. After committing the crime, he fled the scene with her jewelry and Rs. 3,000 in cash.
How the Police Caught the Culprit?
The police meticulously traced the nurse's last known whereabouts using CCTV footage, which led them to the tempo she had boarded. The investigation gained momentum when they began tracking her stolen mobile phone, ultimately leading them to Dharmendra.
Dharmendra was apprehended in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on August 14. During the interrogation, he confessed to the crime, revealing chilling details of how he had attacked the nurse. The police also arrested his wife, bringing her to Rudrapur for further questioning.
Dharmendra, who is a known drug addict, had no prior connection to the victim. On the evening of July 30, he noticed her walking alone, and taking advantage of the darkness, he attacked her. Despite the victim's resistance, Dharmendra overpowered her, leading to the tragic sequence of events.
The Nation's Response: A Call for Accountability
The gruesome details of the Uttarakhand case have only added to the growing discontent across the nation. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera expressed his outrage on social media, questioning the state of the country and condemning the inhumanity of such acts.
The demand for justice has reached a fever pitch, with calls for stricter measures to ensure women's safety and prevent such tragedies from recurring.
The Kolkata Case: Protests for Justice Continue
Meanwhile, in Kolkata, protests have continued to demand justice for the 31-year-old trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered during her night shift at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Calcutta High Court, recognizing the severity of the crime and the urgent need for justice, transferred the case from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on August 15. The move reflects the authorities' acknowledgment of the public's demand for swift and decisive action.
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Also read: Kolkata doctor rape-murder case- Calcutta HC asks RG Kar Hospital ex-principal to go on long leave
The back-to-back incidents of rape and murder in Kolkata and Uttarakhand have not only brought the nation to a standstill but have also ignited a fire for change. The collective cry for justice and safety for women echoes across the country, with the hope that these tragedies will serve as a turning point in addressing the deep-rooted issues of violence against women. As investigations continue and the culprits are brought to justice, the nation watches closely, demanding accountability and change.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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