Gendered justice

Law in much of South Asia, including in Nepal, favours men, even in horrifying rape cases.

On Monday, a sessions court in Kolkata sentenced Sanjay Roy to life for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The harrowing incident last August sparked widespread public outcry and doctors went on strike for weeks. Although India’s Central Bureau of Investigation demanded the death penalty, the judge didn’t accede to this request. The judge’s remark that this wasn’t a “rarest-of-rare” crime was shocking, and dissatisfied protesting doctors. In fact, justice in much of South Asia favours men, even in cases as horrifying as rape.