In the much-talked-about Kolkata doctor rape-murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the main accused, Sanjay Roy, has been sentenced to life imprisonment until death. Additionally, he has been penalized with a fine of INR 50,000. Announcing the verdict, Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das stated that this case does not fall under the 'rarest of rare' category, thus not warranting a death sentence.
During the sentencing, Judge Anirban Das mentioned, "The CBI demanded the death penalty. Meanwhile, the defense appealed for a prison sentence instead of execution, arguing the case wasn't rarest of rare. The incident took place in the victim's workspace, thus making the state responsible for providing the family with compensation."
Following the life sentence for Sanjay Roy, the court instructed the state government to grant INR 1.7 million as compensation to the victim's family. However, the victim's parents have declined any form of compensation. Sanjay Roy was charged under IPC sections 64, 66, and 103 (1), generally warranting either death or life imprisonment. Yet, the judge opted for the latter.
On pronouncing the sentence, the judge reiterated to Sanjay Roy, "You've been convicted on rape and murder charges." Sanjay Roy claimed, "I've been wrongfully implicated. I always wear a Rudraksha mala. If I had committed the crime, the mala would have broken at the crime scene. I wasn't allowed to explain, and I was coerced into signing several papers."
Sanjay Roy Insists on Innocence Despite Conviction
Roy contended, "The CBI's medical examination at the railway hospital revealed nothing. Nobody, including my mother, has visited since my arrest. Before the arrest, I stayed at a police camp. Despite my innocence, I was judged guilty."
The CBI prosecutor argued in court, saying, "This case should be included in the rarest of rare. To keep societal trust intact, Sanjay Roy deserves the maximum sentence." On the other hand, Roy's lawyer asserted, "The prosecution should provide evidence of no prospects of reform, seeking any punishment but the death penalty."
Source: aajtak
Victim's Parents Plead for Maximum Sentence
The victim's lawyer stressed the demand for maximum punishment, stating that Sanjay Roy had the responsibility to ensure hospital security as a civic volunteer, yet he committed a heinous crime against someone he should have protected. In CBI's charge sheet, Sanjay Roy was identified as the singular perpetrator of the crime, redefining it as rape instead of gang rape.
The charge sheet revealed that Roy acted alone, with collected semen samples matching him. The CFSL report confirmed the match, supported by robust forensic evidence against Roy. Small hairs retrieved from the crime scene on August 9, 2024, underwent forensic analysis, underscoring Roy's culpability.
Key Evidence in Kolkata Case Resolution
The forensic report linked the hair samples to Sanjay Roy. The prosecution relied on over 100 witnesses, 12 polygraph tests, CCTV footage, forensic results, call details, and location data to file the charge sheet. The CBI clarified that the episode involved the rape of the junior doctor trainee, not a gang rape. The investigation's breakthrough hinged on three pivotal elements.
The critical evidence included images from CCTV cameras outside the seminar room, showing Sanjay Roy entering at 4 AM and leaving approximately 30 minutes later, with no one else entering or exiting during the timeframe. Additionally, the seminar room contained Sanjay Roy's earphones, later connected to his Bluetooth.
Source: aajtak
Brutality Unveiled in Hospital Seminar Room
The third key aspect was the forensic report matching blood samples from beneath the victim's fingernails to Sanjay. Furthermore, semen DNA matched Roy's, and samples from private areas also corroborated his involvement. The charge sheet detailed how Sanjay Roy, intoxicated, reached the third-floor hospital seminar room around 4 AM, unaware of the sleeping junior doctor trainee.
Upon finding the doctor, Roy assaulted her. Despite attempts to resist, Roy choked and assaulted her while she was unconscious. The victim endured 16 external and 9 internal injuries trying to defend herself and retaliate against Roy.
