On August 9, 2024, a chilling discovery at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in north Kolkata sent shockwaves across the nation—a postgraduate trainee doctor was found brutally murdered after a horrifying ordeal of sexual abuse.
A nightmarish crime
Preliminary autopsy results revealed a grotesque picture of the violence inflicted on the victim. The autopsy uncovered a series of brutal injuries including a broken thyroid cartilage from being throttled, as well as severe trauma to her private parts. The extent of the injuries suggests “perverted sexuality” and “genital torture,” reflecting a level of brutality that has left both investigators and the public horrified.
The report details an extensive array of injuries spanning from her eyes to her ankles. The discovery of these injuries painted a grim picture of the violence she endured leaving both investigators and the public horrified.
Arrest and disturbing revelations
Sanjoy Roy, a 33-year-old former civic volunteer with a history of abusing his wives and multiple marriages, was arrested in connection with this heinous act. His mobile phone revealed a disturbing collection of violent pornography raising grave concerns about his mental state and the depravity of his actions. The content on his phone likely ties into the brutal nature of this case amplifying the urgent demand for justice.
Inside the minds
The case has reignited a complex debate about the influence of pornography on behaviour, with experts cautioning against oversimplification. Dr Anshu Kulkarni, a consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist based in Mumbai, emphasised that the issue extends beyond the mere presence of pornography.
“In this story, the issue wasn’t that pornography directly led to the rape and murder. The power dynamics created an environment where she was cornered, raped, and ultimately murdered. Therefore, the problem wasn’t just about the pornography itself,” Dr Kulkarni explained. She also emphasised that the case is subjudice.
Dr Kulkarni elaborated on how pornography becomes problematic when it disrupts daily life leading to social isolation and mental health issues. She also warned of the broader implications such as the potential for dehumanising attitudes toward women. “Watching porn isn’t inherently bad, but when it disrupts daily life—such as needing to squeeze it into one’s routine, affecting work, relationships, or efficiency—it becomes problematic. Like any addiction, if a person finds that pornography helps relieve underlying tension, the brain may start to rely on it more,” she said.
She also discussed the negative impacts of excessive pornography consumption. “When pornography use exceeds certain limits, it can lead to negative impacts, primarily affecting social and personal aspects of life. Excessive consumption often results in social isolation, as individuals become absorbed in online content at the expense of real-life interactions,” she added.
Moreover, Dr Kulkarni highlighted that excessive pornography use, particularly late at night, can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle, impacting overall health. “A person feeling down may turn to pornography for relief, which can further worsen their mood. Additionally, excessive use can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle, impacting overall health. Quality sleep is crucial for mental and physical rejuvenation,” she noted.
What exactly is porn addiction?
“Porn addiction is a type of behavioural addiction. Extensive pornography usage among individuals has been found to include problematic behaviours, including addiction, that interfere with some areas of regular functioning,” said Dr. Anweshak Das, a consultant psychiatrist in Guwahati. He explained that the pervasive nature of pornography can deeply impact one’s life, leading to a range of negative consequences that go beyond mere physical indulgence.
“Sexual addiction is a serious problem that has been defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder in which repeated sexual stimulation persists despite serious negative consequences. These negative consequences can include a failing marriage, sexually transmitted infections or diseases from entering into sexual activity with other infected individuals, a decline in job performance, and other similar consequences detrimental to the individual’s life,” Das said. He emphasised that the persistent and compulsive nature of sexual addiction can unravel many aspects of a person’s life, causing irreparable damage.
Drawing attention to the roots of such addictions, Das added, “Many times persons with porn addiction have a difficult traumatic childhood, poor parenting issues, and will be raised in a broken family. Severe porn addiction is associated with compulsivity, emotional liability, impaired judgement, and impulsivity and other drug abuse. These will lead them to sexually perverted activities and loss of self-control. Individuals with a sexual addiction have been known to alleviate their sexual urges using pornography consumption, and can experience many of the non-physical consequences of sexual addiction through pornography consumption alone.” According to Das, these deep-seated issues often manifest in harmful behaviours, escalating to a point where self-control is compromised.
He also pointed out societal implications, stating, “Research contained some evidence that men who view sexually explicit material treat women in a more demeaning and degrading manner than those who do not view pornography at all. Various data indicate that manifestations of the ‘sexual addiction’ related to excessive sexual behaviour due to craving may cause inability of self-control and also subjective experiences of internal conflict, very similar to symptoms that usually manifest in obsessive-compulsive disorders.” Das suggested that these behavioural patterns could have broader societal impacts, potentially contributing to gender-based mistreatment.
Concluding on a grave note, Das warned, “This loss of self-control might lead to unlawful activities like molestation, sexual abuse, and rape.” His insights draw attention to the serious legal and ethical implications that can arise from unchecked porn addiction, highlighting the need for awareness and intervention.
Pornography and aggression: What research say
The relationship between pornography addiction and aggression has garnered significant academic interest. A 2021 study published in JAMA Network Open found a correlation between frequent pornography consumption and heightened sexual aggression, though it stopped short of asserting a direct causative link. The study suggested that individual psychological factors and pre-existing attitudes toward sex might mediate these outcomes.
An extensive review published in the Journal of Sex Research (2020) highlighted inconsistent evidence regarding the correlation between pornography and sexual aggression. The review pointed out the role of personal attitudes and psychological predispositions in influencing behaviour.
Research on violent pornography, such as a 2019 study in Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, found that exposure might lead to more harmful attitudes toward women, though these effects were moderated by individual differences.
Furthermore, broader psychological and sociocultural factors play a role in understanding pornography addiction. A 2020 study in Psychological Medicine noted that pornography addiction could exacerbate existing mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, affecting behaviour.
A report from the National centre on Sexual Exploitation (2022) also emphasised that while pornography addiction might contribute to harmful behaviours, it is part of a larger constellation of issues including societal attitudes toward sex and gender dynamics.
Need for awareness
This brutal crime has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed discussions on the impact of pornography. Experts urge a nuanced understanding of the complex factors at play, emphasising the need for justice and broader societal change.
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Kolkata doctor rape and murder: Are there troubling links between crime and pornography?
