Kolkata rape-murder case and RG Kar vandalism: How social media spreads fake news and wild theories

Following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, social media played a crucial role in the 'Take Back the Night' agitation on August 14, allowing women to come forward and express themselves point of view.

Here are some of the wild theories and rumors that have surfaced on social media and have since been debunked by authorities.

suicide: Some social media posts claimed police initially characterized the woman's death as a suicide, fueling anger against police. Later, the woman's parents said it was hospital authorities, not the police, who told them the doctor had committed suicide.

150 grams of semen theory: Social media was awash with gang rape theories and claims that 150 grams of semen was found inside the woman. While the gang-rape allegation is under investigation, the 150 samples of genetically modified semen were not mentioned in the autopsy report. A source who saw the report told News18 that the report only mentioned “white viscous fluid” in the cervical canal.

Crime scene, from construction to destruction: Members of several WhatsApp groups began sharing that construction work had begun on the crime scene. This is an error message. Not only that, the day the thugs vandalized RG Kar Hospital, they could not reach the seminar hall where the crime took place. Some claimed on social media that the attack occurred at a crime scene. The Kolkata Police issued a statement on X denying this claim.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told the court that it took over the investigation five days later and that the crime scene had been altered.

Pelvic bone fracture: Another theory on social media is that the woman suffered a fractured pelvic bone. According to News18 sources, the autopsy report did not mention any fractures.

Letter from UK Investment Bank: A fake letter was circulated on social media claiming that the CBI had written to higher authorities to withdraw from the investigation due to manipulation. CBI posted on X calling it fake.

Sandeep Ghosh's post: Due to pressure, former director of RG Kar Hospital, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, was eventually sacked from the National Medical College, Kolkata. Sources say he has been appointed as an officer on special duty. But this claim was denied by the health minister.

The victim's photos and names were also widely circulated, which was also a crime and even the courts asked the authorities to take action.