Sanjay Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, has been convicted of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Sealdah court pronounced the verdict on Saturday (January 18), bringing some closure to a horrific case that had shocked the nation.
The conviction was delivered under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with charges of murder upheld under Sections 66 and 103(1). The court has scheduled sentencing for Monday (January 20) at 12:30 pm.
The victim’s father broke down in tears upon hearing the verdict, expressing gratitude to Extra District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das. “I thank the judiciary for restoring my faith in justice,” he said, overcome with emotion.
Sanjay Roy, however, maintained his innocence, pleading with the judge. “I have been falsely implicated. Those responsible are walking free. I would never commit such a crime,” Roy stated, referring to the rudraksh chain he always wore as a symbol of his innocence.
The court dismissed his claims, ordering him to remain in judicial custody until the sentencing.
The incident occurred on August 9, 2024, when the victim was found semi-clothed and unresponsive on the third floor of the hospital. The brutal nature of the crime led to widespread outrage, prompting immediate action by law enforcement. Roy was arrested a day later, following a swift investigation.
While Roy was convicted for the murder, investigations into the hospital revealed broader irregularities. In November 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a chargesheet accusing former hospital principal Sandip Ghosh and others of financial corruption.
The chargesheet named several individuals, including Dr. Ashish Kumar Pandey, Biplab Singha, Suman Hazra, and Afsar Ali Khan, for their alleged involvement in fiscal mismanagement at the hospital.
Sandip Ghosh was also questioned about the murder, with the CBI conducting a lie-detector test as part of its probe. However, delays in filing the chargesheet resulted in bail being granted to Ghosh and another accused, Abhijit Mondal.
The questions remain about broader issues of hospital governance and alleged corruption. The sentencing on Monday will bring closure to the criminal case, but scrutiny over the institution’s practices is likely to continue.
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