Kolkata Doctor Rape-Murder Case: Accused Sanjoy Roy Found Guilty By Court; Sentencing On Monday

Kolkata Rape-Murder Case: A CBI court today convicted Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with Kolkata police, for the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year.

The incident, which sparked nationwide protests and outrage, saw Roy arrested a day after the gruesome crime on August 9 2024. He was charged with rape and murder.

"I have examined all the evidence and witnesses, also heard the arguments. After getting through all of these, I have found you guilty. You are guilty. You must be punished," the judge declared. The court is set to announce the sentence on Monday.

During the hearing, Roy questioned why those who had "framed him" were being released-a remark interpreted as a reference to former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh, who was arrested for allegedly tampering with evidence and later released on bail.

The judge responded, "You will be heard on Monday. Now, I am sending you to judicial custody."

Roy was charged under Section 64 (rape), Section 66 (punishment for causing death), and Section 103 (murder). Section 64 carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, while Section 66 allows for the death penalty.

The victim's father broke down in court upon hearing the verdict. "I kept full faith in you. Thanks to you for honouring our trust," he said.

RG KAR RAPE-MURDER CASE: A TIMELINE

The body of the 31-year-old trainee doctor was discovered in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital, with the post-mortem report indicating that she was throttled and smothered to death.

Amid widespread protests, the case was transferred to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court. The central agency, in its sole charge sheet, named Sanjay Roy as the "prime accused" and ruled out the possibility of the victim being gang-raped.

During the trial, Roy pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had been framed.

The incident led to the resignation of RG Kar College's then-principal, Sandip Ghosh, as the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government faced severe criticism for its handling of the case.

The matter escalated further when a mob vandalised the hospital's emergency ward on 15 August during a 'Reclaim the Night' rally organised by women and activists.

ARREST OF EX-RG KAR PRINCIPAL

The CBI also arrested Sandip Ghosh and the former Station House Officer (SHO) of the local police station for allegedly tampering with evidence. Ghosh had reportedly ordered renovation work near the crime scene, which the Calcutta High Court noted. The government, however, denied that this was an attempt to destroy evidence.

Both Ghosh and the former police official were released on "default bail" after the CBI failed to file a supplementary charge sheet within 90 days of their arrest. Ghosh, however, remains in jail in connection with another case involving alleged financial irregularities at the medical college.