West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, who was convicted for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Banerjee’s statement came as a Kolkata court prepares to announce the sentencing for Roy, a civic volunteer found guilty by Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das on Saturday.
Roy was arrested the day after the body of the doctor was discovered in a seminar room of the hospital. The court convicted Roy under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those that can carry life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The prosecution, led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), presented compelling forensic evidence—DNA samples, toxicology reports, and CCTV footage—tying Roy to the crime. Despite his claims of being falsely accused, the evidence, including biological traces and physical injuries on the victim, firmly pointed to Roy’s involvement.
The CBI’s investigation, which included testimony from over 120 witnesses, concluded that the victim died due to strangulation and smothering. The case has gained national attention, with the CBI referring to it as one of the “rarest of the rare.” The victim’s family has expressed their gratitude for the justice delivered, while the case has sparked protests from doctors and citizens across the state.
The tragic incident occurred on August 9, when the victim, a postgraduate trainee doctor, was brutally attacked by Roy, leading to widespread public outrage.