Junior doctors protested outside Sealdah Court, demanding harsher punishment for Sanjay Roy, sentenced to life for the RG Kar rape-murder. Discontent with the decision, they plan to appeal. West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed dissatisfaction, stressing that she would have ensured a death penalty if within jurisdiction. Public calls for stricter justice continue.
Kolkata: Junior doctors staged a protest outside Sealdah Court on Monday (Jan 20th), demanding harsher punishment for Sanjay Roy, the convict in the RG Kar rape-murder case. The protest came after the court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment, a decision many deemed insufficient.
One of the protesting junior doctors expressed their dissatisfaction, stating,
“We wanted a strict and exemplary punishment, this punishment is not enough. We will move to higher courts seeking a stricter judgement.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also voiced her discontent, emphasizing that if the case had been under Kolkata Police’s jurisdiction, a death penalty would have been ensured.
Also Read: BREAKING | RG Kar Rape: Court Sentenced Sanjoy Roy To LIFE IMPRISONMENT
“I learned about the sentencing from the media. We have always demanded capital punishment, and we continue to stand by it. However, this is the court’s decision, and I can’t say much about this. For three other cases, Kolkata Police ensured capital punishment through thorough investigations concluded within 54-60 days. This was a serious case. Had it been under our purview, we would have ensured the death penalty long back,”
Banerjee said during a media briefing in Malda.
While Congress leader Salman Khurshid welcomed the verdict, citing the swift investigation and judgement as commendable, he expressed hope that it would deter future crimes.
“The biggest worry that people express in our country is that many sad incidents take place—people keep waiting for the Court, and that leads to apathy. But, in this case, a quick investigation was done, and the Court has also pronounced its judgement in very little time, and the judgement is also apt, it should be welcomed. Will it convey a message to those who commit such crimes?”
Khurshid remarked.
In contrast, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar called for a deeper probe into the case. While refraining from criticizing the court’s decision, he noted public skepticism about the involvement of other parties in the crime.
“We wanted the highest punishment (for the convict Sanjay Roy). Being an elected representative, I can’t say anything against the court verdict. The public of West Bengal does not believe that only one person is involved in the RG Kar rape-murder case. I think there should be more depth in this, as Sanjay is saying that there were also police and other people involved,”
Majumdar said.
Additionally, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) expressed disappointment after the verdict.
“A terrible judgement. We as a nation should be ashamed,”
Their post also added that they are highly disappointed and this is not over yet.
it said in strong disapproval of the verdict.
The RG Kar rape-murder case involves the brutal assault and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was discovered in the hospital’s seminar room on August 9. The case has sparked widespread outrage and demands for stricter justice.
As protests continue and calls for a harsher sentence grow louder, the spotlight remains on the higher courts to deliver a verdict that satisfies the quest for justice.
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