RG Kar Verdict: Life Sentence for Sanjay Roy; Court Deems Crime Not Among Rarest
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Synopsis
On January 20, a special court in Kolkata sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a woman doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College. The court ruled against the CBI’s claim that the crime was among the rarest, imposing a financial penalty and ordering state compensation for the victim's family.
Key Takeaways
- Sanjay Roy sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Court rejected CBI's claim of 'rarest of rare' crime.
- Financial penalty of Rs 50,000 imposed.
- Victim's family awarded Rs 17 lakh compensation.
- Evidence tampering investigation remains open.
Kolkata, Jan 20 (NationPress) A special court in Kolkata has sentenced Sanjay Roy, the only defendant in the horrific rape and murder case of a female doctor affiliated with the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment.
While delivering the sentence, Judge Anirban Das clarified that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s argument that Roy committed a crime of “the rarest of rare” nature was not valid.
Thus, the judge determined that instead of facing the death penalty, Roy, who previously served as a civic volunteer for Kolkata Police, would receive life imprisonment.
Additionally, a financial penalty of Rs 50,000 has been levied against Roy.
The judge also instructed the West Bengal government to provide Rs 17 lakh in compensation to the victim's family.
The judge noted that since the victim was assaulted and murdered at her workplace, a state government facility, the state is legally obligated to compensate the victim's family.
A detailed copy of the ruling will be made available shortly, which will include further specifics regarding the special court's decision.
On January 18, Roy was found guilty under Section 64 (punishment for rape), Section 66 (punishment for causing death or leading to a persistent vegetative state), and Section 103(I) (punishment for murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Regarding the compensation matter, the victim's parents expressed that they had never requested monetary compensation for their daughter’s tragic death.
The judge clarified that, although he recognized their position, he was mandated by law to direct the state government to provide the compensation.
“How you decide to use the funds is entirely your choice,” the judge remarked.
The body of the victim was discovered in the seminar hall of R.G. Kar on the morning of August 9 last year. The initial investigation was conducted by a special team from Kolkata Police, which apprehended Roy. However, the CBI took over the investigation five days after the incident, following an order from the Calcutta High Court, and subsequently transferred Roy to the central agency.
The trial commenced on November 11, 59 days after the victim's body was found in the seminar hall of R.G. Kar.
The conviction was finalized on January 18, and the sentence was announced at 2:45 p.m. on Monday, exactly 164 days after the crime occurred.
While the conviction for the “rape and murder” is concluded, investigations into evidence tampering remain ongoing. Sources within the CBI indicated that there is still an opportunity to file a supplementary charge sheet regarding the “evidence tampering,” keeping the case active.
Last year, the former principal of R.G. Kar, Sandip Ghosh, and the former SHO of Tala Police Station, Abhijit Mondal, were granted “default bail” by the same special court due to the CBI's failure to submit a supplementary charge sheet against them within the required 90 days.
Both Ghosh and Mondal were accused of obstructing the investigation and tampering with evidence during the initial inquiry conducted by Kolkata Police before the CBI assumed control following an order from the Calcutta High Court.
