RG Kar Rape-Murder Case: Accused Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Amid Allegations of Cover-Up
A Kolkata court has delivered its judgment in the tragic case of the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College, sentencing the accused, Sanjoy Roy, to life imprisonment. The decision comes after a five-month trial, during which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented its findings and evidence linking Roy to the crime.
The court detailed the evidence leading to Roy’s conviction, including DNA matches from forensic analysis and CCTV footage showing him leaving the seminar hall where the incident occurred. Testimonies from witnesses revealed that Roy, who was stationed at the hospital as a Kolkata police volunteer, had consumed alcohol before entering the premises on the day of the crime. Additionally, his mobile phone’s location data placed him at the scene during the time of the incident.
The judgment noted that Roy’s actions were not premeditated. Instead, the court described the crime as an impulsive act driven by lust. The victim, it concluded, was not a predetermined target, and the attack occurred spontaneously when Roy encountered her in the seminar room.
The court strongly criticized the handling of the case by both the police and hospital authorities, highlighting significant lapses and efforts to obscure the truth. It was revealed that two officers from the Tala police station registered the victim’s death as unnatural without conducting a proper investigation, despite her father’s attempts to lodge a complaint. The court condemned these actions, emphasizing that the police deliberately delayed action and misled the victim’s family.
Hospital authorities were also accused of attempting to portray the death as a suicide to avoid accountability. According to the judgment, former Principal Sandip Ghosh and other senior staff tried to propagate a false narrative, registering the case as one of unnatural death. The court acknowledged that these efforts were thwarted by protests led by junior doctors, who demanded justice and submitted a memorandum to the hospital administration.
While the court reprimanded these lapses and attempts to cover up the incident, it maintained that these factors did not weaken the prosecution’s case. Instead, the evidence presented, including forensic and digital proof, established Roy’s culpability beyond doubt.
In addition to sentencing Roy to life imprisonment, the court imposed a fine of ₹50,000 and directed the state to compensate the victim’s family with ₹17 lakh under the Victim Compensation Scheme.
The case, which occurred in August 2024, sparked nationwide outrage and led to widespread protests. Public pressure prompted the Calcutta High Court to transfer the investigation to the CBI after concerns were raised about the West Bengal CID’s handling of the matter. The Supreme Court also took cognizance of the incident and framed guidelines to enhance workplace safety for medical professionals.
The investigation revealed further allegations of corruption and negligence by hospital authorities and police officials. While the High Court ordered inquiries into these claims, charges were not filed promptly, resulting in bail being granted to the former principal and police officials implicated in the cover-up. This left Roy as the sole individual against whom the CBI could file charges.
The judgment is seen as a significant step toward justice for the victim, whose family and supporters endured a protracted legal battle. The court’s condemnation of the actions of the police and hospital administration underscores the need for systemic reforms to ensure accountability and justice in such cases.