Sessions Judge Anirban Das ruled that the case did not qualify as one of the "rarest of rare" instances warranting the death penalty
GUWAHATI: Kolkata’s Sealdah Sessions Court on Monday, January 20, sentenced Sanjoy Roy, the prime accused in the RG Kar rape and murder case, to life imprisonment. Along with the aforementioned ruling, the court additionally slapped a fine of ₹50,000 on Roy.
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Roy was convicted of the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital after her night shift in August 2024.
Sessions Judge Anirban Das ruled that the case did not qualify as one of the "rarest of rare" instances warranting the death penalty. Instead, life imprisonment was deemed the appropriate punishment. The court also directed the state government to pay ₹17 lakh as compensation to the victim’s family.
Roy was convicted under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections 64 (rape), 66 (causing injury resulting in death of a rape victim), and 103(1) (murder). These sections prescribe penalties ranging from a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The court relied on forensic evidence linking Roy to the crime, including DNA reports that placed him at the scene and on the victim.
During the hearing, Roy pleaded innocence, claiming he was not involved in the incident. However, the court found him guilty based on forensic evidence and the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) chargesheet.
The crime, which occurred in August 2024, sparked nationwide outrage, prompting mass protests and calls for justice. The Calcutta High Court transferred the case from the West Bengal CID to the CBI following allegations of police mishandling, including initially registering the incident as an "unnatural death."
The Supreme Court also intervened suo moto, framing guidelines for workplace safety for doctors after the incident.