Sanjay Roy, convicted of raping and murdering an on-duty doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, was brought to Sealdah court Today (Jan 20) under heavy police security for sentencing. The dead doctor’s mother, however, expressed disappointment with the CBI investigation, alleging that “other perpetrators involved in the crime had not been brought to justice”. “Only one person is not involved in the crime, yet the CBI has failed to apprehend the others. Such criminals have no right to live if we are to prevent future crimes in society,” the bereaved mother said.
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WEST BENGAL: Sanjay Roy, convicted of raping and murdering an on-duty doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, was brought to court on Monday for sentencing. The incident had occurred on August 9 last year, sparking widespread protests and outrage across the country.
Police ensured strict security measures were in place.
Flanked by several police vehicles, Roy was escorted out of jail at 10:15 am.
The Sealdah court premises were heavily guarded with around 500 police officers stationed to prevent any disturbances.
“The authorities left no stone unturned to prevent any untoward incident,”
-a police officer stated.
Despite the security, crowds of onlookers gathered near the court. Some even attempted to climb railings to catch a glimpse of Roy.
The deceased doctor’s parents, on their way to the court, expressed their hopes for justice.
“We have faith in the judge,”
-said the victim’s father.
However, the victim’s mother voiced her dissatisfaction with the CBI’s handling of the case. She accused the agency of failing to apprehend all those involved in the crime.
“Only one person is not involved in the crime, yet the CBI has failed to apprehend the others. Such criminals have no right to live if we are to prevent future crimes in society,”
-she said.
The crime was a brutal act that shocked the nation. Roy, who was formerly a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested the day after the crime, and the investigation was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The court had found Roy guilty of sexually assaulting the doctor and strangling her to death. He was convicted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions:
- Section 64 pertains to rape and carries a minimum punishment of 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment.
- Section 66 deals with causing death or leaving the victim in a vegetative state, punishable by 20 years imprisonment or a life term extending for the convict’s natural life, or even death.
- Section 103(1) relates to murder and prescribes either life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Judge Anirban Das of the Additional District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, is set to hear Roy’s statement at 12:30 pm before deciding the quantum of his punishment.
The mother of the young doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College has expressed mixed feelings after the trial court convicted Sanjay Roy, the main accused, in the case.
While the court’s decision brought some relief, she emphasized that their fight for full justice continues.
“That Sanjay is guilty was proved through biological evidence. And that he stood silent during the trials in the court also proved his hand in torturing and killing my daughter. But he was not alone, there are others who haven’t been arrested yet. So, justice hasn’t been delivered,”
she told media after the court’s decision.
The grieving mother, speaking alongside her husband, vowed to keep fighting until all the culprits are brought to justice.
“The case is not complete. It will only be completed after the others who were involved in killing our daughter are punished. We will wait for that day… Till that day, we will not be able to sleep. That is the only thing we want now,”
-she said.
The Sealdah court found Sanjay Roy guilty of raping and murdering the on-duty doctor at RG Kar Medical College. The judgment was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das, who announced that the sentence will be declared on Monday.
This verdict comes after an in-camera trial that began in November last year, nearly two months ago, and follows 162 days after the tragic incident took place on August 9, 2024.
Roy was convicted under Sections 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to crimes of rape, and Sections 66 and 103 (1) of the Act, addressing death and murder-related offenses. Notably, Section 103 (1) prescribes a maximum penalty of either life imprisonment or the death sentence.
As the family of the victim continues to wait for justice to be fully served, their determination remains unshaken.
BACKGROUND
A Kolkata court has found Sanjay Roy guilty of the heinous rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate medical trainee at RG Kar Hospital last year. This case has captured nationwide attention and raised serious concerns about the safety of medical professionals at their workplaces.
The tragic incident occurred on August 9 when the victim’s lifeless body was discovered in a hospital seminar room. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested the following day in connection with the case.
During the court proceedings, Anirban Das, the Additional District and Sessions Judge, made it clear that the verdict would be delivered in a highly secured, closed-door setting. This decision was taken to ensure the “paramount importance” of safeguarding the prime accused, Sanjay Roy. To maintain order and security, police officers cordoned off the entire area and escorted Roy into the courtroom under heavy protection.
A critical piece of evidence that led to the conviction of Sanjay Roy was outlined in a detailed 45-page chargesheet submitted by the CBI to the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Sealdah last October.
The chargesheet revealed that the victim’s blood was found on the jeans and shoes of Sanjay Roy.
Furthermore, investigators recovered the accused’s hair and a Bluetooth earpiece linked to his cellphone from the seminar hall where the crime took place.
The discovery of such incriminating evidence left little room for doubt about Roy’s involvement in the brutal crime.
After the verdict was delivered, Roy told the Court-
“I’m being framed.”
The Court replied-
“We will hear you (Roy) before deciding on the punishment to be imposed on you.”
Sessions Judge Anirban Das clarified that the minimum possible sentence would be life imprisonment while the maximum sentence would be the death penalty.
According to investigators, Roy acted alone in committing the crime, though the victim’s family and junior doctors’ groups have expressed suspicions of a larger conspiracy. The case has been a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by women in workplaces, particularly in the medical field.
ALSO READ: [Kolkata Rape-Murder] “CBI In Direct Contact With Deceased’s Parents”: CJI Chandrachud
The horrific nature of the crime sent shockwaves across the nation, sparking widespread protests and demands for improved safety measures for healthcare professionals.
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on RG Kar Rape
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