Sanjay Roy has been found guilty under sections 64, 66, and 103(1) in the horrific rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The victim’s tragic death, which occurred on August 9, 2020, sent shockwaves through the medical community and ignited widespread outrage across the country.
The incident led to mass protests by junior doctors in West Bengal, calling for justice and demanding enhanced security for healthcare professionals in government hospitals. The Sealdah Court delivered its judgment in a closed-door session, with Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das presiding.
While Roy has been found guilty, the quantum of punishment is set to be announced on Monday. Meanwhile, Roy maintained his innocence in court, denying all charges. The courtroom was heavily secured, with approximately 300 personnel deployed to ensure safety, reflecting the high-stakes nature of the case.
The junior doctor’s body was found in a classroom at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, prompting doctors to stay off work for weeks to demand justice for her and better security at public hospitals.
The in-camera trial in the rape and murder case of the doctor commenced in a Kolkata court on November 11, three months after the incident. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the probe from the Kolkata Police on the Calcutta High Court’s direction, has sought “maximum punishment” for Roy.
The hearing in Roy’s trial was concluded on January 9, during which 50 witnesses were examined. The parents of the deceased doctor have claimed that other persons were involved in the crime and expected that they would also be arrested and tried before the court. The victim’s parents have also filed an application before the court seeking further investigation into the case.
Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10. The CBI in its 45-page charge sheet submitted to the court had listed 11 pieces of evidence to hold Roy the sole accused in the crime.