A CBI court on Saturday found Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, guilty of raping and murdering a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024. The incident, which shocked the nation, had sparked widespread protests demanding justice. Roy’s sentencing will be announced on Monday.

The judge, after reviewing all evidence and witness statements, declared Roy guilty, stating, "You must be punished." Roy, who was arrested a day after the crime, has been charged with rape, causing death, and murder under Sections 64, 66, and 103, respectively. These charges carry severe penalties, including life imprisonment and, in some cases, the death sentence.

Victim's Father Responds

The victim's father, overcome with emotion in the courtroom, expressed gratitude to the court for delivering justice, saying, "I kept full faith in you. Thank you for honouring our trust."

Accused Claims Innocence

During the hearing, Roy denied the charges and claimed he was framed. Referring to others linked to the case who had been granted bail, Roy said, "Why are those who framed me being released? If I committed this crime, my rudraksha chain would have been broken at the scene." The judge assured Roy that his arguments would be heard during the sentencing on Monday.

Case Background

The 31-year-old trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital on August 9, 2024. A postmortem revealed that she was throttled and smothered. The case was transferred to the CBI following public outcry and protests led by activists and women’s groups.

The CBI’s chargesheet identified Roy as the prime accused, ruling out gang rape. However, Roy maintained his innocence throughout the trial.

Related Arrests and Controversy

The investigation also implicated Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, and the then-SHO of the local police station. Both were accused of tampering with evidence, including ordering renovation work near the crime scene. This raised suspicions that critical evidence may have been destroyed.

Ghosh and the former police officer were granted bail after the CBI failed to file a supplementary chargesheet within 90 days. Ghosh remains in custody for unrelated financial misconduct charges linked to the college.

The incident also triggered violence, with protesters vandalizing the hospital's emergency ward during a "Reclaim the Night" rally on August 15, 2024, as public anger against the handling of the case escalated.

What’s Next

The court will announce Roy's sentence on Monday, with the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty. The case remains a significant moment in Kolkata’s legal and social landscape, highlighting concerns over safety and justice in public institutions.