Key Points:
- Verdict Delivered: Kolkata court convicts Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Hospital in August 2024.
- Forensic Evidence Crucial: DNA evidence, bloodstains, and belongings of the accused linked Roy directly to the crime scene.
- Quantum of Punishment Awaited: The court to decide between death penalty or life imprisonment on Monday.
- Victim’s Family Suspects Conspiracy: While Roy is accused of acting alone, the victim’s family and junior doctors’ groups allege a larger conspiracy.
- Nationwide Outrage: The crime sparked protests demanding better workplace safety for medical professionals.
Kolkata: A Kolkata court on Saturday convicted Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, in the horrifying rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate doctor at RG Kar Hospital. The verdict, delivered by Anirban Das, additional district and sessions judge of Sealdah court, came 57 days after the in-camera trial began on November 12, 2024.
Judgment Details
Judge Anirban Das, while pronouncing Roy guilty, relied heavily on forensic evidence. Reports confirmed Roy’s DNA at the crime scene and on the victim, corroborating the charges against him. The judge, referencing Sections 64 and 66 of the BNS Act, indicated that the crime warranted a death penalty or life imprisonment, stating, “You must be punished.”
The quantum of punishment will be announced on Monday, January 22, with options ranging from imprisonment for 25 years to a death sentence.
Accused Denies Involvement
Despite earlier confessing to the crime, Roy pleaded innocence during the trial. In court, he claimed he was being framed and said, “I have not done this. Those who committed the crime are roaming free.” He further alleged that higher authorities were involved and accused investigators of shielding the real culprits.
CBI Chargesheet and Evidence
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) submitted a 45-page chargesheet in October 2024, detailing damning evidence:
- The victim’s bloodstains on Roy’s jeans and shoes.
- A Bluetooth earpiece linked to Roy, found at the crime scene.
- Roy’s hair recovered from the site.
The chargesheet concluded that Roy acted alone, but suspicions of a larger conspiracy persist among the victim’s family and junior doctors’ groups.
The Crime That Shook the Nation
The tragedy unfolded on August 9, 2024, when the lifeless body of a medical trainee was discovered in a hospital seminar room. The gruesome crime sent shockwaves across India, triggering protests over workplace safety for medical professionals.
Junior doctors at RG Kar Hospital demanded stricter safety measures, holding candlelight vigils and rallies. “This could happen to any of us. Justice for her is justice for us all,” a protestor said.
Political Reactions
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) issued a statement following the verdict, criticizing those who questioned the investigation. “Certain individuals misled the public, claiming delays in justice. However, the court heard all sides, and the CBI investigation is ongoing,” the TMC spokesperson said.
Opposition parties, meanwhile, alleged negligence and hinted at political interference, demanding a deeper probe into the conspiracy angle.
What Lies Ahead
As the nation awaits the final sentencing, the case underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures in public workplaces, especially hospitals. The victim’s family continues to demand answers, vowing to fight for comprehensive justice.
This chilling crime serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by healthcare professionals, renewing calls for reforms to ensure their safety and dignity at work.
