The CBI court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment until death and imposed a fine of ₹50,000 for the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital in August 2024. The judgment, delivered by Sealdah court Judge Anirban Das, followed Roy's conviction on January 18. The court also ordered the state government to compensate the victim's family with ₹17 lakh, which the family declined.
While pronouncing the sentence, the judge stated that the case did not qualify as "rarest of the rare," thereby ruling out the death penalty. During the hearing, Roy maintained his innocence, alleging that he had been framed and coerced into signing documents. However, evidence, including CCTV footage and a Bluetooth earphone found at the crime scene, linked him to the incident.
The CBI prosecution argued for the death penalty, describing the crime as a "rarest of the rare case" that had deeply shaken public confidence. The victim, a meritorious medical student, was regarded as a promising member of society, and her brutal murder led to widespread protests across the country.
Roy was charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 64 (rape), Section 66 (punishment for causing death), and Section 103 (murder). The case has drawn significant public attention and raised concerns about the safety of medical professionals and women in general.
