The events of the past few days, especially the reports of a trainee doctor in India who was the victim of extraordinary violence within her own workplace, have not only caused outrage but also brought back memories of an unforgettable chapter in the country’s history. Some medical professionals have dubbed it the ‘Nirbhaya Case 2.0’, recalling all the cases of 2012 that changed the law and the mindset of society—the case of Jyoti Singh.

The Beginning of a Tragedy That Changed History

Jyoti Singh, born on May 10, 1990, is a simple girl from Delhi, India. She is the eldest and only girl in her family that can be considered middle-class. With the help of her father who worked twice to support their family, Jyoti persevered with her studies. She completed a course in physiotherapy from the SAI Institute of Paramedical and Allied Sciences and began her internship at St. Stephen’s Hospital in Delhi—a testament to her hard work and determination to achieve her dream. But those dreams suddenly vanished on the night of December 16, 2012.

With her boyfriend, Awindra Pratap Pandey, a software engineer, she had watched the movie Life of Pi at a mall. After the movie, they waited for a bus at the Munirka bus stand to take them home. At that time, a white bus pulled up. After telling them their destination, they boarded, thinking the bus was safe and on the right route. But when they got on at around 9:30 pm, everything changed. The lights inside the bus were turned off. There were six men on the bus, including the driver. They immediately felt fear, especially when Awindra noticed that the vehicle had changed direction. When Awindra asked, the men approached her, asked why they were still outside at such an hour, and that’s when the attack began.

Awindra was mercilessly beaten, using an iron rod, until she lost consciousness. At this moment, the men’s attention shifted to Jyoti. She was taken to the back of the bus. For almost an hour, as the bus continued to move, extraordinary violence and torture took place. She tried to fight back and break free, but her strength was not enough against the six men. Her desperate act of biting three of the men only enraged them further. The cruelty reached its peak, causing severe damage to her internal organs, until she completely lost consciousness. After what they did, they took the two’s personal belongings—money, credit cards, mobile phones—before simply throwing them on the road, while the bus was still moving, at around 11:00 p.m.

The Public Response and the Fight for Life

The two victims were found by a passerby. Jyoti was almost unrecognizable due to severe injuries and blood, including bite marks. They were rushed to Safdarjung Hospital. At the hospital, doctors said that only about five percent of her internal organs were functioning. Awindra suffered a broken bone but survived. When Jyoti’s family learned what had happened, their world came crashing down. At the same time, the news spread quickly, causing widespread outrage across India and even abroad.

As Jyoti fought for her life, she underwent a series of surgeries. Although she was declared in a stable but critical condition, her condition did not improve. On December 26, 2012, the government decided to take her to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore for more specialized treatment. Unfortunately, during the six-hour journey by air ambulance, she suffered a cardiac arrest. Attempts were made to stabilize her, but she lost consciousness completely by the time they reached Singapore. The next morning, December 29, 2012, at around 5:00 a.m., at the age of 22, he passed away due to brain damage, pneumonia, and abdominal infection.

The news of her departure sparked a wave of protests. With each passing day, more and more people took to the streets, calling for the safety of women and harsher punishment for those who commit such extreme violence. The incident also sparked protests in neighboring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

The Search for Truth and the Process of Justice

Along with the attempt to save Jyoti’s life, the Delhi Police immediately formed a special investigation team. With the help of Awindra, they were able to obtain vital information about the identity of the bus and the perpetrators. By tracing the stolen mobile phones and reviewing CCTV footage on the highway, they were able to track down the bus and its operator. When the vehicle was recovered, even though it had been cleaned, the iron rod with traces of blood was still found.

On the same day of Jyoti’s death, December 29, 2012, the Delhi Police arrested the suspects: driver Ram Singh, his brother Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta, Aksay Thakur, and minor Mohammed Afroze.

Even before the incident, an investigation had revealed that a carpenter who was not connected to the two victims had also been the victim of robbery and assault. The carpenter reported the incident to the police who were passing by, but no action was taken due to jurisdictional issues—a shocking lapse that allowed the suspects to continue their search for the next victim, Jyoti and Awindra. As a result, three police officers were charged with negligence, and two assistant police commissioners were suspended.

On January 3, 2013, charges of torture, kidnapping, malicious wounding, and attempting to destroy evidence were formally filed against the five adult suspects. A shocking incident took place on March 11, 2013, when the body of Ram Singh, the driver, was found hanging inside his cell. While the police said it was a suicide, the family and lawyer suspected it was a murder. It was not confirmed what had actually happened.

The Verdict and the Result of the Change

Due to public demand for a Speedy Trial, the hearing was concluded quickly. On September 10, 2013, the Delhi Fast Track Court delivered the verdict. The five adult accused were found guilty. Three days later, the verdict was pronounced: death penalty by hanging. This verdict provoked mixed reactions, including one of the accused requesting not to hang him. Another, Mukesh Singh, was found to be unrepentant, and even managed to blame the victim in a BBC documentary, which further inflamed public anger and led to the Indian government banning its release.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Afroze, the minor suspect, was tried separately in a juvenile court and found guilty. He was sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison under the Juvenile Justice Act. He was released on December 20, 2015, after serving his sentence. Although he was given support to start a new life and even changed his name, his release was not accepted by many, especially Jyoti’s family, who called for a change in the Juvenile Justice Act so that minors who commit serious crimes can be tried as adults.

Despite appeals, the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court upheld the death sentences of the four. After all the government’s mercy petitions were rejected, the four convicts were hanged at Tiara Jail on March 20, 2020.

The case of Jyoti Singh, nicknamed Nirbhaya—which means Fearless—has ushered in major changes. Indian law has been amended, including Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, to increase the punishment for cases of victimization. The minimum sentence has been increased, and if the victim dies, the minimum sentence has become 20 years. The Juvenile Justice Act has also been amended, allowing those aged 16 to 18 who commit heinous crimes to be tried as adults.

Her ordeal and her escape have become a symbol of women’s struggle around the world. While there is justice for her death, the case has taught a profound lesson: the problem is not just with the law, but with the evil mindset of people. A wise saying goes, “We don’t need to teach our daughters to be careful, but rather teach our sons how to respect women.” Jyoti Singh’s tragedy remains a powerful reminder that the fight for true equality and safety continues.