Two alleged rape victims have been murdered in India before their cases reached court.
On Saturday a 22-year-old woman, who had accused a man of rape in 2013, was shot dead as she rode on the back of her husband's bicycle.
The following day an 18-year-old woman was shot dead by four assailants on motorbikes.
She was due to testify in court in October against a man accused of raping her in 2011.
Police are investigating the murders.
The killings in the state of Uttar Pradesh over the weekend have sparked demands for a formal witness protection programme.
Karuna Nundy, a supreme court lawyer and women's rights activist, said: "There must be a formalised protection system in place for victims and witnesses in cases where they are under threat and facing intimidation or worse.
"We also need more and better trained judges and police to deal with these crimes effectively."
Rape victims in India endure an archaic, poorly funded, under-resourced and insensitive criminal justice system, say campaigners.
Sometimes courts can take five to 10 years to reach a judgment.
It is the latest report from India that highlights the abuse women face.
Last month two sisters also living in Uttar Pradesh were sentenced to be raped as 'punishment' for their brother running off with a married woman from a higher caste.
And a teenage girl was allegedly raped by up to 27 men after being lured to a hotel on the promise of a job.
She was reportedly confined to a room at the hotel in Jaipur for 24 hours on August 30 and subjected to repeated attacks.
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