Kolkata: The CBI court on Monday sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment till death and a fine of Rs 50,000 for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital last year. Roy, a civic volunteer, was convicted by the CBI court on Saturday (January 18). The judgment was pronounced by Sealdah court Judge Anirban Das.
“I think this is not a case of rarest of the rare. That’s why I am giving you imprisonment till your death,” the judge said while announcing the quantum of punishment.
The judge held that the state government would have to pay the victim’s family a compensation of Rs 17 lakhs due to the fate suffered by her. However, the victim’s family refused to accept the compensation.
During the hearing earlier in the day, Sanjay Roy claimed his innocence before the court when the judge asked if he had anything to say regarding the quantum of punishment.
“I have been framed without any reason. I told you before that I always wear a Rudraksha chain. If I had committed the crime, it would have broken at the crime scene. I was not allowed to speak. They forced me to sign many papers. I was not given a chance to speak. You have seen all of this, sir. I told you before as well,” said Roy in court.
The CBI lawyer demanded a death penalty for Roy, calling it the rarest of the rare case.“This is a rarest-of-the-rare case. The victim was a meritorious student and an asset to society. This incident has shaken the entire community. The parents have lost their daughter. If even doctors are not safe, then what can be said? Only the death penalty can restore confidence in society. We must restore society’s faith in the justice system,” the CBI lawyer said.The CBI court charged Sanjay Roy with Section 64 (rape), Section 66 (punishment for causing death), and Section 103 (murder).
KOLKATA RAPE-MURDER CASEThe body of the woman postgraduate trainee was found in a seminar hall at the hospital in the early hours on August 9, 2024. She was allegedly killed after being raped. A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested the next day in connection with the crime.Kolkata Police identified Sanjay Roy through a Bluetooth earphone that was found near the victim’s body. Roy was seen in CCTV footage entering the seminar hall with the device around his neck.The incident led to nationwide protests and outrage by thousands of people.