TV
A special court on January 20 sentenced Sanjay Roy, the sole accused in the ghastly rape and murder of an on-duty lady doctor at the state run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, to life imprisonment. During the pronouncement of the sentence, Roy, who was a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, said he had "not committed" the crime and is "being framed".
However, the rape and murder of the 31-year-old doctor triggered widespread outrage and protests across India. The body of the victim doctor was recovered from the seminar hall within R.G. Kar premises on the morning of August 9 last year.
Junior doctors participated in nationwide protests, including a 24-hour withdrawal of medical services, in solidarity with the victim, who was referred to as 'Abhaya' (the fearless). The incident led to the resignation of the hospital's principal, Sandip Ghosh, and the transfer of the hospital's Superintendent. The Supreme Court took suo moto cognisance of the case, criticizing the delay in filing the FIR and constituting a 10-member task force to address healthcare professionals' safety. The victim's parents and public interest litigations demanded a CBI investigation, which was subsequently granted.
Arrest and Investigation of the Accused
The RG Kar rape and murder case saw the arrest of Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on August 10, 2024, following a prolonged examination and his confession of guilt. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case from the Kolkata Police on August 13, 2024, and formed a 25-member team to investigate the incident. The CBI's investigation relied heavily on forensic reports, including DNA evidence that linked Roy to the crime scene and the victim's body.
Trial and Verdict
The trial began on November 11, 2024, and was completed within 59 days. On January 20, 2025, the Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court pronounced Sanjoy Roy guilty under sections 64 (rape), 66 (causing injury resulting in death of rape victim), and 103(1) (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The court's decision was based on the forensic evidence and other findings from the CBI's investigation.
Sentencing and Public Reaction
Sanjoy Roy was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court. The decision not to award the death penalty was guided by the criteria that the crime, although brutal, did not meet the 'rarest of the rare' standard required for capital punishment. Additionally, the defence successfully argued that the prosecution had not established that Roy was beyond reform, a prerequisite for the death penalty. The sentencing sparked mixed reactions, with some welcoming the verdict and others criticizing the investigation as 'totally worthless' and advocating for harsher punishment.
Broader Implications and Protests
The case led to widespread protests by doctors across West Bengal and a nationwide halt to elective services announced by the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA). The incident also resulted in the transfer of the Superintendent of RG Kar Medical College and the resignation of the Principal, Sandip Ghosh. Additionally, the CBI arrested and later released on bail other individuals, including a police officer and the former principal, for alleged destruction of evidence and 'hushing up' the case.
Security Measures and Court Proceedings
Ahead of the sentencing, heavy security measures were deployed outside the court and adjacent areas, involving multiple levels of police personnel. During the court proceedings, Roy’s counsel submitted written submissions on Supreme Court cases to argue against the death penalty, while the CBI and the victim's family advocated for the maximum punishment. The court considered these submissions before pronouncing the sentence.
