Kolkata- January 18, 2025- The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court is all set to deliver its verdict today in the horrific case of the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, which occurred on August 9, 2024, sent shockwaves across the nation and triggered widespread protests calling for justice.
Investigation
The trainee doctor’s body was discovered in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. Initial investigations led to the arrest of Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, on August 10.
Roy was suspected after a Bluetooth earphone traced back to him was found near the victim’s body. Surveillance footage additionally corroborated his presence at the crime scene, showing him entering the seminar hall with the device around his neck.
Transfer of Investigation to CBI
As public protests raged and accusations of investigative failures heard in high courts, the Calcutta High Court ordered the CBI to take over the case on August 13, 2024, to allow a thorough and impartial probe into the grievous crime.
Trial Proceedings
The in-camera trial began on November 12, 2024, before Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das. The prosecution examined 50 witnesses who gave critical testimonies directly impacting the case. The hearing wrapped up on January 9, 2025, leading to today’s judgment.
Prosecution’s Stand
The CBI stated that Roy committed the crime alone and therefore must be sentenced to death. The counsel for the agency produced evidence and witness accounts in support of its claim of Roy’s sole culpability.
Defense Argument
To counter the prosecution’s assertions, Roy’s defense team offered what they labeled as circumstantial and insufficient evidence to conclusively demonstrate his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. They urged the court to consider the possibility that multiple parties might be involved, as hinted at by some investigations.
The Family of the Victim Seeks Justice in Its Entirety
The family of the victim expressed dissatisfaction with the probe’s extent, alleging presence of accomplices in the case and their possibility of being at large. They sought a more comprehensive probe from the Calcutta High Court, demanding accountability for all persons found guilty in the case.
Public and Political Reaction
The case has sparked some strong reactions from these quarters:
Rekha Sharma, former NCW chief and a Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha, said, “I don’t think this is a one-man case. Whoever has played a part in this case, be it financial irregularities or even the murder, should inherently be part of this case. The court must act against those people and award them the harshest punishment possible.”
Dr. Rohan Krishnan, Chief Patron of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), spoke for the medical community’s pain and demanded that those accused be put to death.
Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister and president of the West Bengal BJP, condemned the initial handling of the case by the Kolkata Police, claiming botched management had destroyed the key evidence. He expressed hope that the judiciary would secure a verdict that tempers justice.
The Wait for the Verdict
Tension surrounded the entire court compound as accused Sanjay Roy was taken into the Sealdah court under tight security. Family members of the victim, advocates, and citizens awaited the decision, deciding both Roy’s fate and the judiciary’s take on crimes against women in institutional settings.
