1 / 11From South Korea’s imposition of martial law to the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, 2024 has been marked by a series of shocking scandals and controversies. As the year draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most distressing incidents that dominated headlines. (Image credit: Shoma Bhattacharjee)
2 / 11South Korean President Impeachment | On December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, citing “anti-state forces” and North Korean threats. The martial law, however, lasted only six hours as opposition lawmakers in Parliament overruled the president, compelling him to lift the decree. Facing calls to resign, Yoon survived an initial impeachment attempt but was impeached on December 14. Adding to the turmoil, Yoon has defied multiple summons by anti-corruption authorities and prosecutors investigating the brief martial law declaration. His repeated refusals to appear for questioning have drawn sharp criticism, with opposition leaders calling for his arrest amid concerns over possible evidence tampering. (Image: Reuters)
3 / 11Vinesh Phogat’s Disqualification from Olympics | Vinesh Phogat’s Paris Olympics dream ended in heartbreak when she was disqualified from the women’s 50 kg wrestling event for exceeding the weight limit by just 100 grams. Her disqualification sparked political controversy in India, with opposition parties alleging “sports politics.” Following this, Phogat retired from wrestling but entered politics, winning Haryana’s Julana constituency on a Congress ticket in October. She was also featured in the BBC’s 2024 list of 100 inspiring women for breaking gender stereotypes. (Image: Reuters)
4 / 11Joe Biden Drops Out of US Presidential Race | In July, US President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 Presidential race. While the decision was sudden, it was not entirely unexpected, coming on the heels of a disastrous debate against President-Elect Donald Trump. The poor performance sparked panic within the Democratic Party, prompting prominent lawmakers and key donors to push for a candidate better positioned to defeat Trump, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to take on the mantle. Biden made headlines again in December when he issued a sweeping pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, who had been convicted on federal gun and tax charges earlier in the year. The move drew widespread attention, particularly after repeated White House assurances that the president would not pardon his son. (Image: Reuters)
5 / 11RG Kar Rape and Murder of Doctor | The rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital sparked widespread outrage across India. The victim’s body was discovered in the hospital’s seminar hall, with an autopsy revealing extensive injuries and confirming sexual assault and manual strangulation. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested and charged with rape and murder. The young trainee doctor was on duty the night the tragic incident took place. Initially, the victim’s family was told she had died by suicide. The incident led to widespread protests, with doctors demanding stronger protections and women calling for justice. The CBI, which took over the case following a High Court order, expects the trial to conclude within a month. (Image: PTI)
6 / 11France Mass Rape Trial | A mass rape trial in France, involving 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot, sent shockwaves across the world. Pelicot was drugged and raped by her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, and dozens of men from 2011 to 2020. Dominique lured strangers via an online chatroom titled “without her knowledge,” sedating Gisele with spiked food and drink before the assaults. Gisele, a former logistics manager, has become a feminist icon for demanding a public trial to shift the stigma onto the perpetrators. The case has sparked national discussions on rape culture and toxic masculinity. A panel of judges on December 19 found Dominique guilty and sentenced him to 20 years in jail. The court also convicted all other 50 defendants – aged 27 to 74 – in the French mass rape trial, with no acquittals. They were sentenced to between 3 and 20 years, according to a report by AFP. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 11Donald Trump’s Return as US President | Four years after a failed re-election bid, Donald Trump pulled off a stunning, historic victory over Kamala Harris by winning both the Electoral College vote and the popular vote, marking the first time a president will serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland in 1893. This was also the first time Trump won the popular vote. (Image: Reuters)
8 / 11Pune Porsche Hit-and-Run | Road safety became a major issue in India this year after a 17-year-old boy allegedly crashed his speeding Porsche into a motorcycle in Pune’s Yerwada, killing two young tech professionals. Outrage erupted when it was revealed that the Juvenile Justice Board granted the teenager lenient bail, requiring him to write a 300-word essay on road safety. The case sparked further anger when reports suggested he was driving under the influence. Investigations revealed that his blood sample had been swapped with his mother’s during a medical exam at Sassoon Hospital. Seven people, including his parents and hospital staff, were arrested. (Image: PTI)
9 / 11Indian ‘Agent’ Named in Pannun ‘Assassination Bid’ | The US Department of Justice (DoJ), in October, accused Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government employee, of being involved in a plot to kill pro-Khalistan separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US. Yadav faces charges of “murder-for-hire” and money laundering for allegedly orchestrating the plot from India while working for the Indian government’s Cabinet Secretariat, home to the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied his government ties. Yadav is now on the FBI’s wanted list and also faces kidnapping and extortion charges filed by a Delhi businessman. (Image: FBI)
10 / 11India-Canada ties unravel | Diplomatic ties between India and Canada soured after the 2023 killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Alleging India’s involvement in crimes targeting pro-Khalistan activists, Canada declared Indian diplomats as “persons of interest.” In response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, with a deadline of October 19, 2024. Canada retaliated by ordering six Indian diplomats to leave, citing evidence linking them to violent activities. (Image: Shutterstock)
11 / 11Sheikh Hasina flees Bangladesh | Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August resigned amidst escalating violence and massive protests led by students over a controversial quota system in government jobs that escalated into a nationwide campaign calling for the end of her 16-year regime. Soon after the resignation, Hasina fled to India, a development that also cast a shadow over its traditionally strong ties with India. She was reportedly accompanied by her younger sister, Sheikh Rehana, as they moved to a “safer place.” (Image: Reuters)
