RG Kar Case Convict Gets Life Term, Judge Says Case "Not Rarest Of Rare"

A Kolkata court today sentenced Sanjay Roy, the convict in the rape-murder case of a 34-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment and noted that the case was not in the 'rarest of the rare' category for a death penalty.

Justice Anirban Das also directed the West Bengal government to pay a sum of Rs 17 lakh to the victim's parents. The victim's parents, who were in the courtroom, folded their hands and said they do not want compensation, but justice. The judge replied that he has ordered the compensation as per law and they are free to use the money however they want. The judge clarified that the family should not see this amount as a compensation for their daughter's rape and murder. 

Roy has been convicted under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to rape and murder. 

Earlier today, the court heard Roy and final arguments on the sentence. Addressing the court, Roy said, "I haven't done this. I have been framed. Lots of things were destroyed, but if I had done it then my rudraksha mala would have broken. You decide whether I have been framed or not."

The judge replied that he had to deliver justice. "I decide on the basis of the evidence before me. I have heard you as well for three hours. Your lawyer has argued your case. The charges has been proved. Now I want to know your views on the punishment," he said.

The CBI, which took over the investigation from Kolkata Police, had demanded death penalty for Roy, who worked as a civic volunteer and frequented the hospital. Counsel representing the CBI and the victim's parents said this was a "rarest of rare cases" and said Roy must be sentenced to death. Roy's lawyer had cited Supreme Court guidelines on awarding death penalty. The judge then asked the counsel to list down the guidelines so that he could take a look at it.

The court premises in Sealdah have been turned into a fortress as police went all out to prevent any untoward incident after sentencing. Despite being denied permission, doctors and others gathered near the court. The protesters alleged that Roy alone could not have committed the crime and that the others should not escape justice.

The victim's parents have said they are not satisfied with the CBI's investigation. They have alleged that "other perpetrators involved in the crime had not been brought to justice". "Only one person is not involved in the crime, yet the CBI has failed to apprehend the others. Such criminals have no right to live if we are to prevent future crimes in society," her mother has said.

The 34-year-old doctor, a postgraduate trainee at the hospital, was on night shift on the day of incident. The next morning, she was found dead in a seminar room of the hospital. The incident sparked nationwide protests, with doctors suspending work for days to demand safety at work.