A Kolkata sessions court is set to deliver the sentence today (January 20, 2025) for Sanjay Roy, a former civic police volunteer convicted of the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The Additional District and Sessions Court, Sealdah, had declared Roy guilty on Saturday (January 18, 2025) under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The verdict allows for a minimum sentence of life imprisonment and a maximum penalty of death.
The victim’s parents alleged irregularities in the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) probe, claiming that others involved in the crime were left unpunished. The CBI reportedly ceased communication with the family, and its investigating officer was absent during the court proceedings. Despite the conviction, the parents vow to appeal to higher courts to uncover the truth and seek justice against others they believe were complicit.
The convict’s mother, who lives in a slum on Shambhunath Pandit Street, expressed her acceptance of any punishment her son receives. “If the court decides on capital punishment, I won’t object. I will cry alone but accept it as destiny,” she said.
Doctors’ unions and protestors are demanding strict penalties for those who tampered with evidence in the case. The Joint Platform of Doctors, West Bengal, welcomed Roy’s conviction but urged authorities to take action against those accused of obstructing the investigation.
The CBI had previously arrested Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College, and Abhijit Mondal, an ex-officer in charge of Tala police station, for tampering with evidence. However, they were granted bail after the agency failed to file a chargesheet.
The public and advocacy groups are drawing parallels to recent cases of rape and murder in West Bengal where courts have handed down capital punishment. The question remains whether Roy will face a similar fate as the judiciary’s decision is awaited.
As the sentence is announced today, all eyes are on the courtroom, with many hoping for justice not just for the victim but also for a system that upholds accountability and fairness.
