Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: On Monday, Sealdah Court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. The court concluded that this was not a “rarest of rare” case, thus ruling out the death penalty. Sanjay had been convicted earlier, and after 164 days, the court imposed the life sentence.
The court also ordered the state to pay 17 lakh in compensation to the victim’s family, though the family declined the offer. At 12:30 pm, the court heard arguments from Sanjay’s defense, the CBI, and the victim’s lawyer. Judge Anirban Das informed Sanjay that his crimes were clear and provided him with an opportunity to speak.
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On January 18, the court convicted Sanjay but postponed the sentencing decision. A detailed 160-page ruling was issued regarding the punishment. The trainee doctor was raped and murdered on the night of August 8-9 at RG Kar Medical College, and Sanjay was arrested on August 10.
Sanjay Roy was convicted under sections 64 (rape), 66 (rape causing death), and 103(1) (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. Section 103(1) carries the penalty of death or life imprisonment, section 66 mandates life imprisonment for at least 20 years, and section 64 prescribes life imprisonment for a minimum of 10 years, which may be commuted to life imprisonment until death.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Arguments of 3 parties on punishment
First- Convict Sanjay Roy 1. I did not commit any crime, I was framed. I did not do anything and yet I was declared guilty. 2. I was beaten in jail and forced to sign documents. 3. Sanjay’s lawyer said that we should be given evidence that there is no scope for reform in the convict. Any punishment other than death penalty should be given so that he gets time to reform.
Second- CBI, we demand death penalty so that trust in society remains intact among people.
Third – Victim’s parents The lawyer of the rape-murder victim’s mother and father said that the culprit should be hanged. Sanjay was a civic volunteer, he was in the security of the hospital, but he committed a heinous crime. He committed a crime against the victim whom he was supposed to protect.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said- We demand death penalty. Sanjay’s mother and sister have said that they will not appeal against the punishment, even if he is hanged. The mother said that I understand the pain of that girl’s parents, I also have daughters.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Sanjay has been convicted under sections 64, 66 and 103(1) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS).
1. Section 64 (Rape): Provides minimum imprisonment of 10 years and maximum of life imprisonment.
2. Section 66 (Causing death of victim or rendering him in a persistent unconscious state): Provides minimum punishment of 20 years, which may be extended to life imprisonment.
3. Section 103(1) (Murder): Provides death penalty or life imprisonment.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Forensic report is the basis of the decision
The court based its conviction on the forensic report of the crime scene, which proved Sanjay Roy’s involvement in the case. Sanjay’s DNA was found on the crime scene and on the body of the victim doctor.
After the verdict, the convict Sanjay had said –
I have been framed in this case. I did not commit this crime. Those who did it were let go. An IPS is involved in this. I wear a Rudraksha mala and if I had committed the crime, it would have broken.
What’s Next? Understand in 6 Points
- If the Sessions Court sentences the accused to death or life imprisonment, the decision will be sent to the High Court for confirmation.
- The High Court will review whether the Sessions Court’s decision complies with the law or not.
- Even in case of a death sentence, the High Court will first review it. This is called a “Death Reference.” The sentence will only be implemented after the High Court’s approval.
- The accused can appeal the Sessions Court’s decision in the High Court. If the victim feels the decision is not satisfactory, they can also approach the High Court.
- The High Court can uphold the death penalty or life imprisonment sentence, but an appeal against this decision can be filed in the Supreme Court.
- A mercy or curative petition can be filed in the Supreme Court. This petition must be filed within 30 to 90 days.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Why Sanjay Roy Escaped the Gallows? This is the Reason
Let us know the reason due to which Sanjay Roy escaped the death penalty.
Rarest of Rare Doctrine: The judge explained that this case did not fall under the “rarest of rare” category required for a death sentence. While the evidence was damning, the judge emphasized that the case did not meet the strict criteria for capital punishment. He also stated that if the family wished for a harsher punishment, they could appeal to the High Court for a review.
Defense Arguments: Sanjay Roy’s lawyer, citing several Supreme Court decisions, argued that the accused should be given an opportunity to reform. The lawyer highlighted that the Supreme Court has consistently ruled that death penalties should not be imposed lightly and that any doubts regarding evidence or punishment should be carefully considered. The court found this argument valid, which contributed to the decision of life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.
Research on Death Penalty: Senjuti Chakraborty, a member of the defense team, referenced research from the National University of Delhi on the death penalty. The study concluded that factors like the mental condition, mental health, and family situation of the accused should be considered when deciding on the punishment. The research also labeled the death penalty as a flawed system, which was influential in the judge’s decision to opt for life imprisonment.
Court’s Leniency: After the verdict, lawyers who spoke to the press indicated that the judge appeared convinced that the case did not qualify as the “rarest of rare” scenario, despite the compelling evidence. The judge’s decision to impose life imprisonment seemed to reflect a degree of leniency, possibly influenced by earlier Supreme Court rulings that allowed for more humane alternatives to the death penalty.
Contributing Evidence: The evidence against Sanjay Roy was robust, with detailed forensic findings. The incident occurred on the night of August 8-9, when Sanjay entered the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College at around 4:03 am and committed the crime in just 29 minutes. His mobile’s location data and CCTV footage confirmed his presence at the crime scene. Additionally, his Bluetooth MAC ID matched the one found at the location, and DNA evidence, including saliva and blood from the victim, linked him to the crime. Physical injuries on Sanjay’s body indicated a struggle during the rescue attempt, and forensic investigations confirmed that no one else was involved.
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Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: How Sanjay Roy Came Under the CBI’s Clutches
- Timeline of the Crime: On the night of August 8-9, 2024, at around 4:03 AM, Sanjay Roy entered the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and left at 4:32 AM. In just 29 minutes, he committed the brutal rape and murder of a medical student.
- Evidence Linking Roy to the Crime:
- CCTV footage confirmed Roy’s presence in the seminar hall.
- His mobile phone location placed him at the crime scene.
- A Bluetooth device found at the spot matched the MAC ID of Roy’s mobile, confirming it belonged to him. The Bluetooth also auto-connected to his phone.
- Saliva matching Roy’s DNA was recovered from the victim’s body.
- The victim’s blood was found on Roy’s jeans and shoes.
- DNA samples collected at the scene matched Roy’s profile.
- Five blunt force injury marks on Roy’s body were consistent with a struggle during the victim’s rescue attempt.
- Forensic Investigations: Advanced techniques such as footprint mapping and 3D mapping proved that no one else was present at the crime scene that night.
- Medical Examination: Tests disproved Roy’s claim of being sexually impotent.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Legal Proceedings and Investigation
- The Kolkata Police arrested Roy on August 10, 2024, a day after the victim’s body was recovered from the seminar hall. However, following an order by the Calcutta High Court, the investigation was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- The trial began on November 12, 2024, in a closed courtroom. Over 57 days, statements from 128 witnesses and testimonies from 50 witnesses were examined.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Nationwide Outrage, Protests and Demands for Justice
The case sparked nationwide outrage, leading to prolonged protests by junior doctors in Kolkata who demanded justice for the victim and improved security measures in government hospitals. These demonstrations disrupted health services across the state for over two months and highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, the victim’s parents filed an application in court seeking further investigation, alleging the involvement of other individuals in the crime. The Sealdah Court’s verdict has brought a sense of hope for justice, but the demand for accountability and systemic change continues.
Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: Timeline
- August 9: The body of an on-duty trainee doctor was found at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
- August 10: Kolkata Police arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy.
- August 12: The acting principal of the medical college, Sandip Ghosh, resigned from his position.
- August 13: The Kolkata High Court transferred the investigation from Kolkata Police to the CBI.
- August 15: A crowd vandalized and stormed into R.G. Kar Medical College.
- August 18: The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance and scheduled the case hearing for August 20.
- August 20: The Supreme Court demanded status reports from the Mamata Government and Kolkata Police.
- August 21: The central government handed over the responsibility of securing R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital to CISF.
- August 24: The main accused, Sanjay Roy, along with six others, underwent a lie-detector test.
- August 25: The CBI raided the premises of former principal Sandip Ghosh and 14 other suspects.
- September 14-15: The CBI arrested the former principal and an officer of Kolkata Police.
- September 21: Doctors ended their hunger strike after 42 days following a meeting with the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee.
- October 5: Six junior doctors in Kolkata began a major hunger strike.
- October 21: The junior doctors ended their hunger strike after meeting with the Chief Minister.
- December 13: Former principal Sandip Ghosh and the Kolkata Police officer were granted bail.
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