A special court in Kolkata convicted Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, in the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim was found dead on August 9, 2024, in a seminar hall at the hospital. Roy, the prime accused, was arrested shortly after the discovery of the body. The crime sparked widespread protests from doctors and health workers across the country, leading to national outrage.
The judgment was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das at the Sealdah court after a 57-day trial. Roy was found guilty of rape and murder under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. During the trial, Roy claimed that he was “falsely implicated,” stating that others involved in the crime were not being prosecuted. Despite his claims, the court based its conviction on the evidence presented, including witness testimonies, forensic reports, and the investigation findings.
The case was initially handled by Kolkata Police but was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further investigation. The CBI arrested two additional individuals, Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, and Abhijit Mondal, the former Station House Officer of Tala Police Station, on charges of tampering with evidence. However, both were granted default bail by the Sealdah court after the CBI failed to file a supplementary chargesheet within the required 90 days of their arrest.
The trial included statements from 50 witnesses, including the victim’s parents, CBI and Kolkata Police officials, forensic experts, and colleagues of the victim. The court also recorded the investigation process by both police agencies. Despite Roy’s conviction, the case continues to spark public outcry regarding the investigation’s handling. The sentencing for Roy is scheduled to be announced on January 22, 2025. The investigation into the involvement of other individuals, including a potential link to an IPS officer, remains ongoing.