Tue Jan 21 21:31:27 IST 2025: ## West Bengal Government Appeals for Death Penalty After Life Sentence in Doctor’s Rape and Murder Case
**Kolkata, January 21, 2025** – The West Bengal government has appealed to the Calcutta High Court to overturn a life sentence handed down to Sanjay Roy for the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College. The appeal, filed Tuesday, seeks the death penalty for Roy.
The decision follows strong criticism from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who expressed shock at the life sentence, calling the crime “the rarest of rare” and questioning the adequacy of the punishment. She argued that the life sentence is insufficient for such a heinous crime and highlighted the state government’s efforts to implement stricter punishments for violent crimes against women and children, citing a pending bill awaiting central government approval.
The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Anirban Das, who handed down the life sentence on Monday, stated that the case did not meet the stringent criteria for the death penalty, emphasizing the importance of rising above the “primitive instinct” of retribution. He cited the need for “wisdom, compassion, and a deeper understanding of justice” in his ruling.
However, the Chief Minister and the victim’s parents disagree, believing the crime warrants capital punishment. The parents also expressed their displeasure with the sentence. The Chief Minister further questioned the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), suggesting a different outcome might have been achieved under state jurisdiction.
This case has sparked a wider debate on sentencing for violent crimes against women in West Bengal. The Chief Minister highlighted three other cases of rape and murder of minors where the courts awarded the death penalty. The case has reignited discussions surrounding the state’s proposed legislation aiming to strengthen punishments for such crimes.
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