A rape every 16 minutes: The shocking numbers on crimes against women in India

The rape and murder of a female trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sent shockwaves throughout the country, with junior doctors organising protests and ceasing work to demand swift justice for the victim.

Last Friday, the brutalised body of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found in a semi-nude state in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital, putting the campus on the boil and prompting the administration to investigate the matter.

The initial autopsy indicated that the victim was murdered after being sexually assaulted, police said.

So far, the police has arrested Sanjoy Roy, who is an accused in the case, based on acquired CCTV footage. The case has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court amid a nationwide outrage demanding safety and better security for women at workplaces.

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A recent report by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals a grim picture of crimes against women in India. In 2022, the country recorded 4,45,256 cases, which means 51 cases every hour.

Here’s a closer look at the report