Justice Served: Sanjoy Roy Convicted in RG Kar Rape adn murder Case
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In a landmark case that shook the nation, Sanjoy Roy was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sealdah Sessions Court in Kolkata for the brutal rape and murder of a young student at RG Kar medical College. The five-month trial, marked by compelling evidence and public outcry, culminated in a verdict that brought a measure of justice to the victim’s grieving family.
The court’s meticulously detailed 172-page judgment meticulously outlined the irrefutable evidence leading to Roy’s conviction. DNA evidence, recovered from Roy’s person and the victim’s belongings, was a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case, corroborated by eyewitness testimony and CCTV footage placing Roy at the scene of the crime. Further cementing the case against Roy, cell phone tower location data placed him near the hospital at the time of the tragedy.
While examining roy’s motive, the judge stated, “In that case, only option is that the accused took entry there and on sudden impulse he had attacked the victim to meet his lust. The victim was obviously not his target or that it was not known to him that the victim was there in the said Seminar Room and the offense committed by him was not pre-planned…”
The court did not shy away from condemning the perceived negligence and attempts to cover up the incident by both police and hospital authorities. The judge declared, “There is there’s no doubt whatsoever to consider that from the end of any authority, efforts were made to show the death as a suicidal one so that the hospital authority would not face any consequences. From the case record it appears that the said “illegal dream” of the authority was not fulfilled as the Junior doctors raised protest and submitted one memorandum to the Principal and at that time, police force started their action but it caused sufficient delay and probably it was the reason for which the parents of the victim were not allowed to see their daughter. Being the court of law, I condemn such attitude of the R.G Kar hospital authority.”
Although the case exposed concerning lapses within the system, the court ultimately affirmed the strength of the prosecution’s case. Alongside the life sentence and a fine of ₹50,000, the court ordered the state to provide ₹17 lakhs to the victim’s family under the Victim Compensation Scheme.
The RG Kar case ignited widespread outrage across india, fueled by the brutality of the crime and the alleged attempts to suppress it. The Calcutta High Court, under immense public pressure, transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after petitions expressing a lack of confidence in the initial investigation led by the West Bengal CID.
The CBI’s diligent work tirelessly brought Roy to justice, providing solace to the victim’s family and serving as a powerful reminder that accountability can prevail even in the face of institutional failings.