Mon Jan 20 21:41:15 IST 2025: ## Kolkata Doctor’s Murder: Life Imprisonment for Convict Sparks Outrage
**Kolkata, January 21, 2025** – The life imprisonment sentence handed down to Sanjay Roy for the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024 has sparked widespread outrage in Kolkata. The victim’s parents expressed deep disappointment, believing the crime warranted the death penalty, characterizing it as a “rarest of the rare” case.
Additional District and Session Judge Anirban Das, however, stated that the case did not meet the stringent criteria for capital punishment. The victim’s mother criticized the CBI investigation, claiming its failure to prove the case’s rarity resulted in a lenient sentence. The family’s lawyers also alleged lapses in the CBI’s handling of the case.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her dissatisfaction, asserting that a state police investigation would have likely resulted in the death penalty, citing three other cases where the state police secured capital punishment within 54-60 days. She questioned the CBI’s involvement, suggesting the case was deliberately removed from state jurisdiction.
While the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, acknowledged the judge’s discretion, he noted the public’s dissatisfaction. He refuted allegations of CBI negligence.
Civil society members and doctors who protested the sentence also expressed their discontent. Governor C. V. Ananda Bose, in a statement, emphasized the need to address the broader societal issues contributing to violence against women, stating that punishment alone is insufficient. The ongoing debate highlights the intense public reaction and questions surrounding the handling of the case and the sentencing outcome.
First Piper 