Photo: Reuters/Sahiba Chawdhary

KOLKATA (Reuters) – A court in West Bengal began the trial on November 11 of a volunteer police officer accused of raping and murdering a doctor at a government hospital in August. This case sparked outrage over the lack of safety for women in India. .

The woman’s body was found on August 9 in a classroom at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in the state capital Kolkata, federal police said. They also said that they arrested volunteer constable Sanjay Roy for the crime.

According to local media reports, the charges were prepared last week and Roy said he was “completely innocent” and had been slandered.

The legal case has reignited criticism of India’s poor record on women’s safety, despite the introduction of tougher laws following the gang rape and murder of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi in 2012.

This also highlights the poor infrastructure and security in government hospitals in India; Most of them lack basic facilities such as CCTV cameras and security personnel.

About 128 witnesses will be questioned during the trial, court sources told Reuters, and hearings will be held every day as authorities seek to expedite the high-profile case. They will not be open to the public.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the father of the alleged victim, the female doctor, testified on Monday.

Indian federal police said that apart from the accused Roy, they also arrested the officer in charge of the local police station and the hospital director for allegedly tampering with evidence and financial irregularities.

Reform-seeking doctors said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met the protesters last month and agreed to most of their demands, but added that they would monitor progress and continue pressure for change in line with her assurances.