RG Kar rape: Life sentence for Sanjay Roy; court says 'not rarest of rare case'

In a highly anticipated verdict on Jan 20, a CBI court in Kolkata sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment for the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old duty trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The crime, which occurred in Aug 2024, shocked the nation, leading to widespread protests and public outcry.

To ensure safety and prevent unrest, the Sealdah court was heavily fortified, with nearly 500 police officers deployed at the scene.

The case, which had gripped the city and the nation, concluded with a sense of unresolved justice, as many called for stricter punishment.

The Sealdah court sentenced the convict in the RG Kar rape-murder case to life imprisonment, saying that the crime did not qualify as one of the "rarest of rare" cases.

The CBI had called for the death penalty for Roy.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed disappointment with the court's sentencing, saying, "I am not satisfied with the quantum of punishment. All of us had demanded a death sentence, but the court has given a life term until death.”

“The case was forcibly taken from us. Had it been with the (Kolkata) police, we would have ensured that he was served a death sentence,” she added.

Banerjee continued, "We demanded the death penalty from Day one. We demand it now too. But it's the court's order. I can share my party's opinion. We ensured the death penalty in three cases within 60 days. If the case stayed with us, we would have ensured the death penalty long back. I don't know the details."

"The case was taken away from us. We had said that if we cannot do it, then hand it over to the CBI. Because we want justice," she said, adding that she was "not satisfied".

On Jan 18, Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das in Sealdah declared Roy guilty of raping and murdering a postgraduate trainee at the hospital on Aug 9, 2024.

"We welcome this quick justice," said Padma awardee Dr. Harsh Mahajan.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Kamaljeet Sehrawat said, “This incident shook the entire country. The big question is on what basis the court took a decision. In such a case, it is the state government's job to present the facts strongly. The state government should take this case forward and ensure the death penalty for the convict.”

Shehzad Poonawalla, a BJP spokesperson, claimed that defendant Sanjoy Roy received a reduced sentence because the state police and the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal were "manipulating many things."

“It was expected from Mamata Banerjee that she should get justice for the daughter, but she was busy destroying evidence, suppressing the voice of truth, and somehow saving the rapists. Complete justice has not been done,” Poonawalla said.

Activist Brinda Adige said, "I believe the court might have made this statement because all the other culprits have not been caught. The court might also fear that Roy, who might be a witness, would go free while others remain scot-free.”

She added, “Given all these constraints and challenges, I think this is not to be considered just yet as the ‘rarest of rare.’ When everyone else is caught, arrested, and brought before the court, then it will be ‘rarest of rare’—especially since this happened in a hospital where doctors should have been protected.”

Junior doctors protested outside the court, saying life imprisonment was insufficient and vowed to seek a harsher judgment in higher courts.

The court fined Roy ₹50,000 and directed the West Bengal government to compensate the victim’s family ₹1,700,000—₹1,000,000 for her death and ₹700,000 for rape on duty.

Roy was convicted of rape and murder on Jan 18, nearly six months after his arrest. However, on Jan 20, the victim's family told the Sealdah court that they sought justice for their daughter, not financial compensation.

“We don't want compensation; we want justice,” the victim's family members said.

Former National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma said, “It is very unfortunate. I think the investigations done by Kolkata Police were presented to the CBI, and because of the shortcomings in the investigation, the convict was sentenced to life imprisonment and not the death penalty.”

“The victim's family and all of us are really sad. It is the insensitivity of the judges that such a huge case was not called the rarest of the rare,” Sharma added.

Despite the case being one of the "rarest of rare," the convict's lawyer argued that there should still be room for reform.

He said, "Even if it is the rarest of rare cases, there should be scope for reformation. The court has to show why the convict is not worthy of reform or rehabilitation. The public prosecutor must present evidence and give reasons why the person should be completely eliminated from society.”

During the Jan 20 hearing, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) strongly pushed for the death penalty, referencing Supreme Court guidelines on capital punishment.

The CBI highlighted the severity of the crime, describing it as a "rarest of rare" case. “She was an asset to society, and this offense has shaken India. Not many girls pursue higher education, and this was an especially brutal crime,” the CBI argued.

They further said, “Two sections of the law provide for the death penalty. This case qualifies for such a punishment, as it would set a precedent and restore confidence in society.”

Earlier in the court, Roy said in his defense, “All allegations are false; I am being implicated. I am innocent; I am not allowed to say anything. I have been tortured, beaten.”

Roy was found guilty of sexually assaulting a doctor and strangling her to death. He was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment and the death penalty.

According to Dr Tapan Pramanik, a doctor at RG Kar Medical Hospital, the CBI's investigation was "totally worthless," and the RG Kar rape and murder case involved numerous people.

“I will welcome the verdict whether it is life imprisonment or hanging till death. As per the CBI investigation, Sanjay Roy is the main culprit, but some reports from the CBI have come out through the media saying that 68 activities were recorded by CCTV, yet no one could be identified except Sanjay Roy,” he said.

Meanwhile, the deceased doctor's mother expressed disappointment with the CBI investigation, accusing them of failing to bring other perpetrators involved in the crime to justice.

“Only one person is not involved in the crime, yet the CBI has failed to apprehend the others. Such criminals have no right to live if we are to prevent future crimes in society,” the bereaved mother said.

On Aug 9, 2024, a 31-year-old junior doctor was raped and killed at the state-run RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.

The victim’s body was discovered in the hospital’s seminar room. Junior doctors in West Bengal staged prolonged protests in response to the incident, calling for justice and stronger security measures in government hospitals, sparking widespread outrage.

Three months after the incident, on November 11, the trial for the rape and murder case began in a court in Kolkata.

On the order of the Calcutta High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation from the Kolkata Police and demanded "maximum punishment" for Roy.

The trial concluded on Jan 9.