RG Kar Case "Not Rarest Of Rare": Convict gets Lifer

A Kolkata court today sentenced Sanjay Roy, the convict in the rape-murder case of a 34-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment and noted that the case was not in the 'rarest of the rare' category for a death penalty.

Justice Anirban Das also directed the West Bengal government to pay a sum of Rs 17 lakh to the victim's parents. The victim's parents, who were in the courtroom, folded their hands and said they did not want compensation, but justice. The judge replied that he had ordered the compensation as per law and they are free to use the money however they want. The judge clarified that the family should not see this amount as a compensation for their daughter's rape and murder. 

Roy has been convicted under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to rape and murder. 

Earlier today, the court heard Roy's final arguments on the sentence. Addressing the court, Roy said, "I haven't done this. I have been framed. Lots of things were destroyed, but if I had done it then my rudraksha mala would have broken. You decide whether I have been framed or not."

The judge replied that he had to deliver justice. "I decide on the basis of the evidence before me. I have heard you as well for three hours. Your lawyer has argued your case. The charges has been proved. Now I want to know your views on the punishment," he said.

The CBI lawyer demanded the death penalty for Roy, calling it the rarest of the rare case. This is a rarest-of-the-rare case. Only the death penalty can restore confidence in society. We must restore society's faith in the justice system,” the CBI lawyer said.

The CBI court charged Sanjay Roy with Section 64 (rape), Section 66 (punishment for causing death), and Section 103 (murder).

The body of the woman postgraduate trainee was found in a seminar hall at the hospital in the early hours of August 9, 2024. She was allegedly killed after being raped. A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested the next day in connection with the crime. The incident led to nationwide protests and outrage by thousands of people.