Kolkata Court Orders Life Imprisonment for Sanjay Roy in Shocking Murder and Rape of On-Duty Doctor

KOLKATA, Jan 20: A Kolkata court has sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment until death after convicting him of the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The crime, committed on August 9 last year, shocked the city and sparked widespread protests across the country. The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Anirban Das, delivered the verdict on Monday after holding Roy guilty on charges of rape and murder.

The case drew significant attention, with the gruesome details and the victim’s profession as an on-duty doctor highlighting the brutality of the crime. The court took into account the nature of the offense while deciding on the punishment. While the prosecution sought the death penalty, Judge Das determined that the crime did not meet the criteria for the “rarest of the rare” category, a legal standard required for a death sentence.

In addition to the life sentence, the court ordered a compensation of Rs 17 lakh to be paid to the victim’s family as an expression of support in their time of grief. This compensation was in response to the profound loss and emotional trauma caused by the crime.

Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was found guilty under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 64 (rape), 66 (punishment for causing death), and 103(1) (murder).

The life sentence signifies the end of the court proceedings in this case, but it leaves behind a family devastated by the loss of their loved one. The CBI, which took over the investigation of the case, worked diligently to ensure that justice was delivered. Moving forward, the victim’s family and the broader community will continue to seek healing, while hoping for further reforms to ensure the safety and dignity of all working professionals.