The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, January 20, 2025: In a significant development on January 20, 2025, a Sealdah court in Kolkata sentenced Sanjay Roy, convicted of raping and murdering an on-duty trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment until death. The court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on the accused.
Judge Anirban Das of the Additional District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, delivered the verdict after hearing the statements of both the victim’s family and the convict. Along with the sentence, the judge directed the state government to provide a compensation of ₹17 lakh to the family of the deceased doctor.
The crime, while heinous, did not fall under the “rarest of the rare” category, according to the court, which was the primary reason for not awarding the death penalty. Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was brought to court amidst tight security arrangements. He had been convicted of sexually assaulting the 31-year-old doctor and subsequently throttling her to death.
Roy, during his appearance in court, denied the charges and claimed he was being “falsely implicated.” “I have not done anything. I am innocent,” Roy said, further alleging that he had been tortured and coerced into signing confessions. His lawyer, during the sentencing, argued that even in rare cases like this one, there should be room for reform, and the court needed to present evidence that Roy was beyond rehabilitation before sentencing him to life imprisonment.
The victim’s family, represented by their lawyer, had earlier expressed their desire for the maximum penalty, which would have been the death sentence. However, the final decision lay in the hands of the court, which took into consideration the facts of the case.
Roy was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Section 64 (rape) carries a punishment ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, Section 66 (causing death or a persistent vegetative state) mandates a sentence of 20 years or life imprisonment, and Section 103(1) (murder) could lead to the death penalty or life imprisonment. Despite the possibility of a death sentence, the court opted for life imprisonment.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, before leaving for a tour of North Bengal, had remarked that she would not comment until the court delivered its judgment. She had earlier advocated for the death penalty, but left the decision to the judge’s discretion.
The parents of the deceased doctor expressed their faith in the judicial system, hoping that justice would be served. The victim’s father stated, “We trust the judge to deliver justice.” However, the victim’s mother raised concerns about the investigation, claiming that other perpetrators involved in the crime had yet to be apprehended. She voiced her frustration with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), accusing them of failing to bring all the culprits to justice.
The body of the victim, a trainee doctor, was found on August 9 in a seminar room at RG Kar Medical College, sparking nationwide protests and calls for stricter action against sexual violence. Roy, who had been arrested a day after the incident, had his case transferred to the CBI for further investigation.
The case has drawn widespread attention to the issue of sexual violence and the need for swift and decisive justice. While the victim’s family seeks further accountability, the conviction of Sanjay Roy is a step towards justice for the young doctor whose life was tragically cut short.
No Comments: