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Life sentence for Sanjay Roy, convicted of rape and murder of RG Kar; Calcutta court denies death penalty, calls case ‘no stranger than rare’

Life sentence for Sanjay Roy, convicted of rape and murder of RG Kar; Calcutta court denies death penalty, calls case ‘no stranger than rare’

The Sealdah Court in Kolkata on Monday (January 20) handed down a life sentence to Sanjay Roy, the convict in the rape and murder case of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The court clarified that the case did not fall into the “rarest of the rare” category, which would justify the death penalty, as demanded by the investigation agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). NDTV reported.

Justice Anirban Das issued a directive to the West Bengal government to provide Rs 17 lakh in compensation to the victim’s parents. The parents, present in the courtroom, expressed their desire for justice instead of monetary compensation.

In response, the judge clarified that the compensation order was mandatory by law and that they were free to spend the money as they wanted.

Roy has been found guilty of charges related to rape and murder under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. However, the court heard Roy and his closing arguments before handing down the sentence.

Roy told the court: “I have not done this. I have been framed. Many things were destroyed, but if I had done this then my rudraksha mala would have been broken. It is up to you to decide whether I have been framed or not.”

However, based on the evidence presented, the court proceeded to issue a ruling. “I have also listened to him for three hours. His lawyer has argued his case. The charges have been proven,” the court said.

Both the CBI representative and the victim’s parents described the case as extremely rare and argued that Roy should face the death penalty.

In response, Roy’s attorney referenced the Supreme Court’s guidelines regarding the death penalty, prompting the judge to request a detailed list of these guidelines for his review.

The Sealdah court police station was heavily fortified by the police to avoid any unforeseen mishaps after the sentencing. Doctors and others have gathered near the court, even though they were not granted permission.

Protesters claim Roy could not have been the sole perpetrator of the crime, insisting that other culprits should not evade justice. The victim’s parents have expressed their dissatisfaction with the investigation carried out by the CBI.

They claim there are more people involved in the crime who have not yet been brought to justice. The mother said, “It is not just one person involved in the crime, but the CBI has failed to nab the others.”