Earlier, the victim’s parents had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a fresh probe into the RG Kar rape and murder case. However, their lawyer, Karuna Nandi, later withdrew the petition. Reports suggest that their plea was an ‘intervention application’ in a suo motu case initiated by the Supreme Court in August 2024.
KOLKATA: The case related to the murder of a young doctor from RG Kar Medical College is currently being heard in the single bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh in the Calcutta High Court. However, the victim’s parents have now written a letter to the Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, requesting permission to continue the case in the High Court.
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Legal experts believe that even if the victim’s family formally applies to the Supreme Court, the matter must be presented before the Chief Justice’s bench. Only if the Supreme Court grants permission will the Calcutta High Court be able to proceed with the hearing before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh.
Earlier, the victim’s parents had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking a fresh probe into the RG Kar rape and murder case. However, their lawyer, Karuna Nandi, later withdrew the petition. Reports suggest that their plea was an ‘intervention application’ in a suo motu case initiated by the Supreme Court in August 2024.
At that time, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, questioned whether the case would be heard in the apex court or not.
During a hearing on January 29, the Chief Justice remarked,
“The issues of the family’s petition are debatable. Both sides will have to be heard on it. If it is heard, it will have a considerable impact on the main case. The consequences may also be long-term.”
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Khanna also inquired,
“An application has been filed in the Calcutta High Court. Let’s get permission, don’t you want to keep the case here in the Calcutta High Court?”
During the proceedings, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, instructed the lawyers representing the victim’s parents to submit an affidavit. The court emphasized that Civic Volunteer Sanjay Roy had already been convicted for the rape and murder of the doctor and was sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Anirban Das of the Sealdah Sessions Court.
Taking this into account, Chief Justice Khanna ordered that the affidavit be submitted in court. He also suggested that the victim’s parents could now file a fresh appeal in the Supreme Court. Later, the Supreme Court officially withdrew their petition.
Earlier, the victim’s family had approached the Calcutta High Court, questioning the CBI’s investigation into the case. However, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh initially declined to hear their petition, stating that the RG Kar case was already being addressed by the Supreme Court. Consequently, the victim’s parents also filed the same petition in the apex court.
The Supreme Court heard the matter on January 29 and expressed concerns about the potential impact of the case.
Chief Justice Khanna reiterated, “The issues of the family’s petition are debatable. Both sides will have to be heard on it. If it is heard, it will have a considerable impact on the main case. The consequences may also be long-term.”
Conviction and Sentencing of Sanjay Roy
On January 20, Judge Anirban Das sentenced the accused, Sanjay Roy, to life imprisonment in connection with the RG Kar doctor’s case. In addition to his life sentence, he was also fined Rs 50,000.
Earlier, on January 18, the court had found him guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC):
- Section 63 (Rape)
- Section 64 (Assault during rape causing death)
- Section 103(1) (Murder)
As per the court’s verdict:
- Sanjay Roy was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 under Section 64.
- He was sentenced to life imprisonment under Section 66.
- He was sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 under Section 103(1).
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Additionally, the court ordered the state government to compensate the victim’s family with Rs 17 lakh. However, Judge Anirban Das noted that the case “is not the rarest of rare“, meaning it did not warrant the death penalty.
With the victim’s parents now seeking Supreme Court approval to continue their case in the Calcutta High Court, the decision rests on whether the apex court will grant permission. If approved, the case will proceed before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh’s bench in the High Court.
