KOLKATA: A Sealdah court found former Kolkata police civic volunteer Sanjay Roy guilty of raping and murdering a 31-year-old resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on Aug 9 last year, delivering the verdict during a 12-minute session Saturday after a 66-day in-camera trial, which began on Nov 4 and heard 50 witnesses.
“The allegations against you say the victim was sleeping when you attacked her. You strangled and smothered her and she died. You assaulted her sexually. You are proven to be guilty based on witnesses’ accounts and documents placed before the court. You are convicted of the crime,” Judge Anirban Das said. Roy, 35, stood expressionless as the judge read out the verdict.
The court will hear Roy and his lawyer before pronouncing the sentence Monday. Judge Das informed Roy that the death penalty was an option under BNS sections 64, 66, and 103(1).
“It may be a life term or even death, given the way you throttled and killed the victim,” he said.
The victim’s father, present in court, broke down. Addressing judge Das with folded hands, he said: “The faith we had in you has been completely vindicated today. Our heartfelt gratitude to you.”
I’ve been framed, culprits allowed to go free, says Roy, claims involvement of IPS officer
Kolkata police arrested main accused Roy a day after the crime. CBI assumed charge of the case three days later.
On Oct 7, the central agency submitted a 45-page chargesheet detailing evidence against the civic volunteer—a contractual worker who assisted police, typically with minor tasks. He was sacked after the crime.
The crime, marked by its brutality and audacity, triggered widespread protests. The largest demonstration occupied Kolkata’s streets on Aug 14-15. It also prompted a 10-week agitation by junior doctors, culminating in a 16-day hunger strike, which was called off on Oct 21.
CM Mamata Banerjee met the striking doctors four times during this period.
On Saturday, the Sealdah court complex was heavily guarded with nearly 300 policemen and officers as hundreds of citizens gathered outside. Roy was brought from Presidency Jail under a police escort.
The media was permitted to witness the courtroom proceedings when the judgment was delivered.
The proceedings commenced at 2.30pm. Standing in the witness box, Roy stayed silent for the most part. He maintained his innocence and repeated that he was being framed when the judge asked whether he had anything to say.
“I have not done this. Those who have done this have been allowed to go free. I wear a rudraksha mala; it would have been torn had there been any scuffle,” Roy said, while alleging the involvement of an IPS officer.
Judge Das assured Roy he would be allowed to speak again on Monday before the sentence was pronounced.
Concluding the session, Judge Das mentioned the involvement of former RG Kar medical college principal Sandip Ghosh and other officials in the investigation, adding that their actions raised some questions.
“I have taken the entire chain of events point by point. Some activities (of the officials) created some confusion in my mind. That has been explained in the judgment,” he said.
