The Sealdah court, which conducted Roy’s trial, is set to announce the sentence on Monday(20th Jan).
KOLKATA: Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday “welcomed” the Sessions Court’s verdict, which found Sanjay Roy, the prime accused in the RG Kar rape and murder case, guilty. However, he urged further investigation into the broader conspiracy allegations raised by the victim’s parents.
“We welcome the judgment. But we would have been happier if the former principal of RG Kar Hospital, Sandip Ghosh, and former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal were also punished today. The allegations of a larger conspiracy made by the parents and junior doctors must be thoroughly investigated to determine if others were involved in the crime,” Adhikari stated, as reported by Media.
The Sealdah court, which conducted Roy’s trial, is set to announce the sentence on Monday(20th Jan).
What is the RG Kar rape-murder case?
On August 9 last year, a 31-year-old junior doctor was raped and murdered at the state-run RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. Her body was discovered in the hospital’s seminar room. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and led to prolonged protests by junior doctors in West Bengal, demanding justice and improved security at government hospitals.
The trial began on November 11, three months after the incident, in a Kolkata court. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case from the Kolkata Police following a directive from the Calcutta High Court, has sought the “maximum punishment” for Roy. The trial concluded on January 9.
Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was convicted on Saturday for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The crime, which occurred on August 9, triggered nationwide outrage over women’s safety. The verdict, delivered by Anirban Das, Additional District and Sessions Judge of the Sealdah court, came 57 days after the in-camera trial commenced on November 12.
Roy was found guilty under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, addressing rape, and Sections 66 and 103(1), which prescribe the maximum punishment of death or life imprisonment for murder.
Convict Sanjay Roy’s Defense
Sanjay Roy has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed. Following the verdict, Roy reiterated his claim and will have a chance to address the court on Monday before the sentencing is announced.
The victim’s parents expressed gratitude to the court for delivering justice and reaffirmed their faith in the judiciary. However, they called for further investigation, suspecting a larger conspiracy.
Courtroom Hearing:
The Sealdah court complex saw heightened security on Saturday, with Kolkata Police deploying barricades and uniformed officers to manage crowds. Protesters, including members of the Junior Doctors’ Front (JDF) and other medical associations, gathered outside the court, demanding the maximum punishment for Roy.
“This must set a precedent,” stated Koushik Maity, a leader of the Bengali group ‘Bangla Pokkha.’ The JDF emphasized that their demonstration represents a call for justice and safer workplaces for all medical professionals.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case following a directive from the Calcutta High Court, presented evidence, including CCTV footage linking Roy to the crime scene. Despite this, the victim’s parents and protesting groups continue to seek a deeper probe to uncover the full truth.
The incident has sparked a broader dialogue on workplace safety for medical professionals, with state-wide strikes and demonstrations temporarily halting healthcare services. Roy, currently held at Presidency Jail, awaits his sentencing on Monday.
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