Kolkata Court Awards Life Imprisonment to Sanjoy Roy for RG Kar Doctor Rape Case
In a landmark judgment in the RG Kar doctor rape case, the Kolkata sessions court awarded life imprisonment to Sanjoy Roy for the barbaric rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident that occurred on August 9, 2024, was a dastardly crime that had shaken one and all and also awakened a wave of anger and frustration everywhere in the country, including the fraternity of doctors and women’s rights activists.
The Crime and Conviction
A trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room of a hospital, who was on night duty. The postmortem report confirmed that she was raped and subjected to severe assaults before she succumbed to the injuries. The accused, Roy, was identified as the lone perpetrator. He was convicted of multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
- Section 64: Rape
- Section 66: Causing injury leading to death
- Section 103(1): Murder
The court called into account the seriousness of the crime but dismissed the case because it did not come within the “rarest of rare” cases which warrant a death sentence. The presiding judge held that though the crime was grave enough to call for capital punishment, there was a life imprisonment verdict in the absence of aggravating circumstances.
Compensation to the Victim’s Family
Judge Anirban Das of the Additional District and Sessions Court in Sealdah ordered the state to provide ₹17 lakh in compensation to the family of the RG Kar doctor in the rape and murder case. Additionally, Roy was fined INR 50000.
Reactions and Protests
Reactions to the RG Kar doctor rape case verdict have been mixed. Many of the medical fraternity and women’s rights groups say they feel let down by the verdict as punishment is light compared to the seriousness of the crime.
According to Dr Ananya Ghosh, a senior resident at RG Kar Medical College, “We are not crying over the dead; we are fighting for a safer atmosphere for all, mainly for women workers in healthcare units.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the Sealdah court’s verdict, stating on Monday that the death penalty could have been secured if the case had remained under the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Police.
“We all demanded the death sentence, but the court has instead handed a life term until death. The case was forcibly taken from us. If the (Kolkata) police had handled it, we would have ensured the death penalty was delivered,” she told reporters.
Wider Perspective
This case has generated intense debates on the safety of workplaces, especially in hospitals where women work late hours. After the incident, there have been louder calls for improved security measures in hospitals. Some medical associations have called on the government to compel CCTV surveillance, bright lighting, and security personnel around the clock in healthcare institutions.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over because of the high profile the case had gained, found lapses in the protocols at the hospital and even charged administrative officials with misbehaviour, though no charges have been filed against them so far, further fueling public anger.
Going Forward
While Sanjoy Roy’s sentence is the end of a big chapter in this RG Kar doctor rape case, it is obvious that the road to justice and reform is far from over. The families, colleagues, and supporters of the victims continue demanding strict implementation of workplace safety and accountability for administrative failure.
This sad incident is a grim reminder as protests and debates are underway that it is time that the safety of medical practitioners must be taken precedence and justice both delivered and perceived. Now, it is awaited with bated breath by the medical fraternity and civil society whether this case will prove to be a turning point for the rectification of systemic flaws or once again disappear into the dark horizon of unresolved issues in India’s health care system.
Also Read: Case Study: Landmark Labour Law Victory by Innerwork Advisors Against Corporate Retrenchment
