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Sanjay Roy, convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sealdah Court for his involvement in the Abhaya case, is now facing appeals from the state and CBI for a death penalty in the Calcutta High Court. Advocate Yash Jalan, who is representing Roy, has raised questions about procedural gaps in the trial and alleged the omission of crucial witnesses and evidence.
Jalan stated that three key individuals, whose involvement is significant to the case, were not cross-examined during the trial, nor were their names officially recorded. According to Jalan, these lapses affected the comprehensiveness of the investigation. He also claimed that the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), which was initially assigned to represent Roy, failed to address these issues due to its administrative ties to the state.
During his visits to the Presidency Jail, Jalan alleged that Roy was pressured by jail authorities to sign blank papers without explanation. Jalan intervened and advised Roy not to sign any document without legal consultation. He further stated that Roy wishes to appoint a private defense lawyer but is facing resistance and pressure to continue with legal aid appointed by the state. Jalan has also highlighted discrepancies in the submission of legal documents.
He claimed that Roy did not authorize or sign the legal aid wakalatnama presented in court. Despite this, the Calcutta High Court has granted Jalan permission to argue on Roy’s behalf, even without a signed wakalatnama. The High Court hearing on Monday will address the appeals filed by the state and CBI to seek a death penalty for Roy. These appeals challenge the Sealdah Court’s life imprisonment verdict and push for capital punishment. The outcome of this hearing will determine whether Roy’s case undergoes further examination and whether the alleged omissions in the trial are revisited.