Kolkata: A Kolkata court is set to announce the sentencing for Sanjay Roy today after his conviction for the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. Roy faces charges that carry a minimum sentence of life imprisonment, with the possibility of the death penalty as the maximum punishment. On Saturday, Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das of Sealdah court found Roy guilty of the brutal crime, which occurred on August 9 last year, and sparked widespread public outrage and protests, PTI reported.
The accused, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10, 2024, after the 31-year-old doctor’s body was found in the hospital’s seminar room. Roy was convicted of sexually assaulting and strangling the victim. The conviction was based on Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Punishments for serious offences
Section 64 (rape) mandates a sentence of at least 10 years, potentially extending to a life term. Section 66 (punishment for causing death or leaving the victim in a persistent vegetative state) stipulates a sentence of no less than 20 years, with the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Section 103(1) (murder) allows for either the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Judge Das said that the 160-page judgement, which will be finalised after sentencing, will address some of the concerns raised by the complainant, the victim’s father. The judge also criticised certain actions of both the police and hospital authorities in the case.
CBI investigation and verdict
The investigation was transferred from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after a directive from the Calcutta High Court. Roy’s statement will be heard at 12:30 pm today, after which the sentence will be delivered. When the verdict was read on Saturday, Roy said that he is innocent. He said that he had been framed. The victim’s parents expressed their appreciation for the court’s efforts in delivering justice. Roy’s mother also said that if her son is guilty, he should face the punishment, even if it means hanging. She expressed acceptance of his fate. Roy’s sister also said the family would not challenge the court’s verdict.
