Abhaya's parents oppose death penalty for Sanjay Roy in High Court appeal | Know why

In the ongoing legal proceedings of the Abhaya rape and murder case, her parents have expressed opposition to the death penalty for Sanjay Roy during a recent hearing in the Calcutta High Court. Roy, convicted of Abhaya’s rape and murder, had been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sealdah Court. Following this, the state government filed an appeal seeking a harsher sentence, including the death penalty. The appeal is based on the state's belief that the original sentence was insufficient given the nature of the crime.

During the High Court hearing, Abhaya’s parents made it clear that they did not wish for the death penalty to be imposed on Roy at this stage. Instead, they requested that all those involved in the crime be held accountable. They further stated that they would express their views on the matter once the appeal process progressed. Abhaya’s family had previously voiced dissatisfaction with the investigation carried out by the state police, citing allegations of evidence tampering and claims that key evidence was not properly preserved. Despite this, they maintained that their current focus was not on the severity of the punishment for Roy but on bringing all the perpetrators of the crime to justice.

The case has also seen significant involvement from the CBI, which had taken over the investigation from the state police. During the hearing, the CBI raised concerns about the state’s authority to file the appeal, arguing that the state had no role in the investigation and was not involved in any critical aspect of the case. The CBI had been entrusted with the investigation and had gathered all the relevant records from the court. The agency's legal representatives contended that the state government did not have the standing to challenge the Sealdah Court’s ruling in this case, and its appeal may not be legally valid.

As the legal proceedings continue, the High Court is reviewing the state’s request for an enhanced sentence, including the possibility of the death penalty. The court’s verdict on whether the appeal will be accepted remains pending. The CBI’s opposition to the state’s appeal has complicated the case further, and the family’s objections to the death penalty have added an additional layer of complexity to the legal debate. The hearing ended with the court adjourning the proceedings without delivering a verdict.

Abhaya’s father, after the hearing, reiterated the family’s position, emphasizing that they were not seeking the death penalty for Roy. He confirmed that their primary concern remained ensuring that justice was done for all those involved in Abhaya’s death, particularly those who were yet to be caught. He also highlighted the family’s dissatisfaction with the handling of certain aspects of the investigation but stressed that they remained committed to pursuing justice through the legal system.