Kolkata Court to Decide Sanjay Roy’s Punishment on Monday

A Kolkata court will pronounce the punishment for Sanjay Roy, convicted of raping and murdering an on-duty doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, on Monday.

Roy faces a minimum sentence of life imprisonment and could be handed the death penalty. Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das, Sealdah court, declared Roy guilty on Saturday of the brutal rape and murder of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee on August 9, 2024. The crime triggered nationwide outrage and protests.

Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10, 2024, after the victim’s body was discovered in the hospital’s seminar room. He was convicted under Sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):

• Section 64 (rape): Punishable by 10 years to life imprisonment.
• Section 66 (causing death or vegetative state): Punishable by 20 years to life imprisonment or death.
• Section 103(1) (murder): Punishable by life imprisonment or death.

The judge stated that the final judgment, which will exceed 160 pages, will address concerns raised by the victim’s father and include criticism of police and hospital authorities. The Calcutta High Court transferred the case investigation from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Roy’s statement will be heard at 12:30 PM on Monday, followed by the sentencing.