Calcutta HC Denies Bengal Govt’s Death Penalty Plea for Sole Convict in R.G. Kar Case
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Synopsis
On February 7, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the West Bengal government's plea for the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, the sole convict in the R.G. Kar rape and murder case. The CBI's similar petition was accepted, emphasizing its exclusive right to file such requests.
Key Takeaways
- The Calcutta High Court rejected the state's death penalty plea.
- The CBI's petition for the death penalty was accepted.
- The investigation agency holds the right to file appeals.
- The convict received life imprisonment instead.
- The victim's parents oppose the death penalty.
Kolkata, February 7 (NationPress) A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court has dismissed the admissibility of the petition filed by the West Bengal government requesting the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, the only convict in the tragic rape and murder case at R.G. Kar. In contrast, the petition from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), also seeking capital punishment for Roy, has been accepted by the Bench consisting of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi.
The Court noted that only the CBI, as the investigation authority in this case, has the right to file a motion, indicating that the state government lacks the locus standi to submit such a request.
The hearings regarding the admissibility of the petitions from both the CBI and the state concluded on January 27, with the Division Bench reserving its verdict.
Last month, a special court in Kolkata sentenced Roy to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a junior doctor affiliated with R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in August of the previous year.
Judge Anirban Das stated that the crime did not meet the criteria of being the “rarest of rare,” hence, Roy was given life imprisonment rather than the death penalty.
Subsequently, both the West Bengal government and the CBI appealed against the special court's decision, seeking the death penalty.
Simultaneously, the CBI challenged the state government's right to make such an appeal.
Interestingly, the victim's parents have expressed that they do not desire the death penalty for Roy, as they believe he was not the only perpetrator in the horrific crime against their daughter.
The victim’s parents have faced significant verbal backlash from certain members of the ruling Trinamool Congress for their stance against the death penalty for Roy.
