Sanjay Roy, convicted of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, awaits sentencing today (Jan 20). The Sealdah court will decide between life imprisonment and the death penalty amid heightened security. The crime, which caused nationwide outrage, involved severe criticisms of police and hospital authorities during the investigation. While BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya questioned the haste, the victim’s family expressed gratitude for justice. Roy’s family apologized, accepting the court’s decision without challenge.
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WEST BENGAL: The sentencing of Sanjay Roy, the man convicted in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case, is scheduled for today.
A Kolkata court will decide whether he will receive life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Sanjay Roy has already been found guilty of the heinous crime, and the Sealdah court will now determine his punishment.
Security has been intensified around the court and nearby areas.
“A heavy deployment of personnel remains outside the court and adjacent areas.”
Kolkata Police has assigned two deputy commissioners, five assistant commissioners, 14 inspectors, 31 sub-inspectors, 39 assistant sub-inspectors, 299 constables, and 80 women police officers to maintain order.
ALSO READ: BREAKING | RG Kar Rape-Murder: Prime Accused Sanjay Roy Found Guilty By Kolkata Court
Meanwhile, BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya raised concerns about the speed of the investigation and sentencing in this case. He stated,
“We still believe that Sanjay Roy’s confession should be heard. It is the prerogative of the courts to decide on the quantum of punishment. There is a court-monitored investigation but why so much hurry? Abhishek Banerjee, on the first day, said he (Roy) should be shot down and that he should be hanged to death immediately. Justice hurried is justice buried.”
The BJP leader also highlighted the need to thoroughly investigate the case and address lingering doubts about evidence tampering.
“The court should hear the accused Sanjay Roy and the revelations he intends to make. People have doubts and questions over the destruction of evidence in the case,”
-Bhattacharya added.
Key Details About the Case
On Saturday, Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das of the Sealdah court declared Sanjay Roy guilty of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The crime occurred on August 9, 2024, and Sanjay Roy was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Section 64 (rape) provides a minimum jail term of 10 years, which can extend to life imprisonment. Section 66 (punishment for causing death or resulting in a persistent vegetative state of the victim) prescribes a minimum of 20 years imprisonment, which can also extend to life imprisonment or death. Section 103(1) (murder) allows for either the death penalty or life imprisonment.
The judge revealed that the complete judgment is over 160 pages long and will include responses to specific questions raised by the complainant, who is the father of the victim.
The statement of Sanjay Roy is scheduled to be heard at 12:30 PM today, following which the sentence will be pronounced.
The crime sparked nationwide outrage and protests, with many demanding justice for the 31-year-old victim. Sanjay Roy, a former civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10, 2024, just a day after the victim’s body was discovered in the seminar room of the hospital.
The investigation faced criticism and was eventually handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court.
Judge Anirban Das, in his judgment, also criticized certain actions of the police and hospital authorities during the investigation.
Sanjay Roy claimed during the trial that he was being framed, but the victim’s parents expressed their gratitude to the court for delivering justice. His family, however, has chosen not to challenge the conviction.
“We apologise to the members of the victim’s family. The law has found my brother guilty, and he will be punished accordingly. I have nothing else to say. The administration will do what is right. What we desire really does not matter,”
-Sanjay Roy’s elder sister said.
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