New Delhi: India is reeling from a heinous crime that has shocked the nation—a trainee doctor was found brutally raped and murdered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal. The incident, which occurred on August 9, has sparked widespread outrage, with citizens and medical professionals holding rallies and candlelight vigils in protest. However, alongside the outpouring of grief and anger, a deeply troubling trend has emerged online.Alarming search trends on internetAccording to a report by The Quint, there has been a surge in disturbing search terms related to the victim on Google. These include not only searches for photos of the deceased doctor but also for her rape video and rape porn. This alarming trend highlights the darker side of the internet, where the tragedy is being exploited for voyeuristic purposes.Despite efforts by some media outlets to protect the victims identity, her name was leaked online. A quick search on Google Trends shows that searches for her name, combined with terms like video and rape video, have spiked in India, particularly in the last seven days.Trainee doctors brutal murder caseIn the last week, more details have emerged about the horrific circumstances of the doctors death. Initially, a preliminary autopsy suggested that the trainee doctor had been violently assaulted. A more detailed autopsy later confirmed that she was strangled, and evidence of sexual assault was found. The post-mortem examination revealed 16 external and nine internal injuries on her body, including abrasions on her cheeks, lips, nose, neck, arms, and knees, and severe injuries in her private parts. Internal injuries were also found on her neck muscles, scalp, and other parts of her body.The post-mortem report, signed by a team of forensic experts from RG Kar Medical College and NRS Medical College, concluded that all the injuries were inflicted before her death, showing evidence of vital reactions.CJI criticizes media for disclosing victims identityIn light of these developments, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has expressed deep concern over the rampant sharing of the victims identity. According to Section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, publishing the name or any information that could reveal the identity of a victim of rape or sexual assault is punishable by up to two years in prison. Despite this, the identity of the Kolkata rape-murder victim was widely circulated, leading the CJI to emphasize the importance of maintaining the dignity and privacy of victims in such cases. The Supreme Court has reaffirmed that while free speech is a fundamental right, there are clear legal boundaries that must be respected.
