Kolkata:
In a landmark verdict, the Sealdah court in Kolkata has sentenced Sanjoy Roy, a former civic police volunteer, to life imprisonment for the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The court’s 172-page order not only details the conviction but also sharply criticizes the lapses in the response of both the police and hospital authorities.
The incident, which occurred on August 9 last year, sent shockwaves across the nation and highlighted the vulnerabilities within the healthcare and law enforcement systems. Despite the heinous nature of the crime, the court opted against imposing the death penalty, emphasizing the need to rise above a primitive ‘eye for an eye’ justice and instead focus on reform and rehabilitation.
Sanjoy Roy was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for the rape and murder of the junior doctor. The court sentenced him to life imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 50,000. Additionally, the West Bengal government has been directed to pay Rs 1,700,000 as compensation to the victim’s family, comprising Rs 1,000,000 for the death and Rs 700,000 for the rape.
The court’s order is scathing in its critique of the police and hospital authorities. It highlights procedural lapses by the police, particularly the Tala Police Station, which kept the incident under wraps and failed to take immediate action. The judge noted that the police personnel’s indifferent attitude complicated the investigation and caused undue distress to the victim’s family.
The hospital authorities were also criticized for attempting to cover up the incident by suggesting that the doctor had died by suicide. This attempt to suppress the truth was thwarted by junior doctors who began protesting, bringing the actual circumstances to light.
Sanjoy Roy, who was employed as a civic volunteer, exploited his position to commit the crime. The court found that he was pampered by an Assistant Sub-Inspector, which contributed to his actions. The evidence, including DNA, CCTV footage, and cell phone tower locations, was sufficient to establish Roy’s guilt despite some initial confusion.
The motive behind the crime was attributed to Roy’s sudden impulse to meet his lust while he was drunk. There was no prior hostility between Roy and the victim, and the crime was not pre-planned. The court emphasized that the absence of a clear motive does not undermine the prosecution’s case, as motives can often be complex and psychological.
The court’s decision to impose life imprisonment rather than the death penalty was guided by the principle of proportionality and the potential for rehabilitation. Citing Supreme Court guidelines, the court noted that capital punishment should be reserved for the “rarest of rare” cases, which this incident did not meet. The judiciary’s primary responsibility is to uphold the rule of law and ensure justice based on evidence, rather than public sentiment.
In aligning with the principles of modern justice, the court emphasized the importance of reform, rehabilitation, and healing over exacting revenge. This approach reflects a commitment to elevating humanity through wisdom and compassion, rather than matching brutality with brutality.
