Indian medical workers stage nationwide strike over rape and murder of doctor | In Pictures News

Indian doctors staged a nationwide strike, with protests escalating following the “barbaric” rape and murder of their colleague, who expressed anger over the chronic problem of violence against women.

The discovery of the 31-year-old doctor's blood-soaked body on August 9 in a government hospital in Kolkata, the capital of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, sparked violent protests in several cities across the country.

Many of these protests were led by doctors and other healthcare workers, but tens of thousands of Indians from all walks of life also joined them demanding action.

In Kolkata, thousands held a candle-lit vigil. “Hands that heal should not bleed,” read a sign held by a protester in the eastern city.

“Enough is enough,” said another at a rally of doctors in the capital New Delhi.

“Hang the rapist,” said another.

The murdered doctor was found in the seminar room of the medical faculty, which suggests that she had been resting there during a 36-hour shift.

An autopsy confirmed the sexual abuse and in a petition to the court the victim's parents stated that they suspected their daughter had been the victim of a gang rape.

A man who worked at the hospital helping people navigate long lines was arrested.

However, an angry public accused the city police of mishandling the case. The Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to India's top investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation, to “instill public confidence”.

Sexual violence against women is a widespread problem in India – in 2022, an average of nearly 90 rapes were reported per day in the country of 1.4 billion people.