NEW DELHI: A court in Kolkata on Monday sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at the state-operated RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court also levied a fine of Rs 50,000.
Prior to the sentencing, Roy maintained his innocence and claimed he was being set up. “I have not committed any crime, neither rape nor murder. I am being falsely implicated. You have seen everything. I am innocent. I have informed you that I was tortured and forced to sign whatever they wanted,” Roy stated in court.
Before the sentencing, Roy’s attorney argued against the death penalty, insisting that the prosecution had to demonstrate why Roy was “not deserving of rehabilitation and should be entirely removed from society.” The defense asserted, “Even in cases deemed as the rarest of the rare, there should always be an opportunity for reformation. The court must explain why the convict is unworthy of reformation or rehabilitation. The public prosecutor needs to present evidence and reasons justifying why the person should be completely eliminated from society.”
The victim’s parents expressed that they would only feel “truly satisfied” when Roy is “sentenced to death.” They alleged that others were also involved and vowed to continue their pursuit of justice. “The (trial court) judge rendered a verdict they felt was appropriate. Nevertheless, we will persist in our quest until we discover who else is implicated in this case. We are prepared to go wherever and as far as necessary for that,” the victim’s mother told TOI.
Roy, formerly a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was convicted by additional district and sessions judge Anirban Das on Saturday. The incident, which took place on August 9 of the previous year, provoked nationwide outrage and protests.
Roy was detained the day after the doctor’s lifeless body was found in a seminar room of the hospital. The court found him guilty under sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which carry penalties that range from life imprisonment to capital punishment.
The prosecution, led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), presented forensic evidence, including DNA and toxicology analyses, as well as CCTV footage that connected Roy to the crime. Despite his claims of being framed, the evidence against Roy was substantiated by biological traces, physical injuries inflicted on the victim, and items belonging to him found at the crime scene.
The CBI’s investigation, which involved testimonies from over 120 witnesses, determined that the cause of the victim’s death was strangulation and smothering. This case, categorized by the CBI as “the rarest of the rare,” has attracted considerable attention, with the victim’s parents expressing their gratitude for the justice served.
(The victim’s identity has not been disclosed to ensure her privacy in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines regarding sexual assault cases.)
