RG Kar doctor rape-murder case: Convict Sanjay Roy gets life imprisonment

A Kolkata court on Monday sentenced Sanjay Roy, who was convicted for the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old on-duty doctor at the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000.

During the sentencing, the judge addressed Roy, stating, "I told you the previous day the charges you were convicted of and the charges that have been proven against you." In response, Roy vehemently denied the charges, claiming, "I am being framed and have not committed any crime. I have not done anything, and still, I have been held guilty...I was beaten up in the prison and was forced to sign papers...When the CBI took over the case, a medical test was done at a railway hospital here, but nothing was shown in it."

When asked by the judge about the convict's family, Roy stated that he has a mother but no one came to see him after his arrest.

The CBI lawyer, representing the prosecution, had sought capital punishment for Roy, citing the brutality of the crime. 

After hearing both the CBI and the convict, the court initially sought time to pronounce the judgment in the Abhaya case. However, the announcement was delayed and then rescheduled for 2:45 pm, when the court pronounced life imprisonment stating it is 'not one of the rarest of rarest cases'.

The court has also directed the state to pay compensation of Rs 17 lakh to RG Kar doctor's family in the rape and murder case.

The crime and charges against Sanjay Roy:

The case dates back to August 10 when the victim's (Abhaya's) body was found in a seminar room at the hospital. Roy was arrested shortly after the body was found.

Roy was convicted under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 64 (rape), Section 66 (causing death or persistent vegetative state), and Section 103(1) (murder). Section 64 mandates a sentence of at least 10 years, which can extend to life imprisonment. Section 66 provides for a minimum of 20 years or life imprisonment. Section 103(1) stipulates either the death penalty or life imprisonment in the case of murder.

Judge Anirban Das, in his 160-page judgment, also addressed concerns raised by the victim’s father regarding the police investigation and the hospital's handling of the case. The judge criticized both the police and hospital authorities for their roles during the investigation and clarified several issues raised by the complainant.

Initially investigated by the Kolkata Police, the case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court for further inquiry.