A special court in Kolkata sentenced Sanjay Roy, the accused in the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College, to life imprisonment. The court ruled the crime did not fall under the “rarest of rare” category.
RG Kar Verdict: Court Verdict on Sanjay Roy
- Sentence: Life imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000 imposed on the convict.
- Rationale: The judge dismissed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)’s argument to impose the death penalty, stating the case did not qualify as the “rarest of rare crimes.”
- Compensation: The West Bengal government was directed to pay ₹17 lakh to the victim’s family since the crime occurred on government premises.
Case Background
- Incident: The victim’s body was discovered in the seminar hall at R.G. Kar Medical College on August 9, 2022.
- Initial Investigation: Kolkata Police arrested Roy, a former civic volunteer, five days after the incident.
- CBI Involvement: Following a Calcutta High Court order, the case was handed over to the CBI.
- Conviction Timeline:
- Crime Discovery: August 9, 2022
- Trial Commencement: November 11, 2022
- Conviction: January 18, 2023
- Sentence Pronouncement: January 22, 2023
Legal Charges and Court Observations
- Charges: Roy was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(I) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), addressing rape, murder, and causing death or persistent vegetative state.
- Compensation Clarification: While the victim’s family declined compensation, the judge clarified it was a legal requirement for the state to provide financial relief.
RG Kar Verdict: Pending Evidence Tampering Probe
- The CBI is investigating tampering of evidence allegations. A supplementary charge sheet may be filed, keeping this aspect of the case open.
- Two individuals—former R.G. Kar Principal Sandip Ghosh and ex-SHO Abhijit Mondal—were previously granted bail for misleading the investigation during Kolkata Police’s initial probe.
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