The Calcutta High Court on Friday refused to admit the West Bengal government’s appeal challenging the trial court’s verdict to sentence Sanjay Roy, the convict in RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case, to life imprisonment. The court, however, accepted the CBI’s plea challenging the same verdict.
In its observation, the high court’s division bench, headed by Debansgshu Basak, said the state’s agency did not investigate the case and this was why the state’s petition challenging the lower court’s order and demanding capital punishment for the accused could not be admitted. The court clarified that the CBI’s appeal was accepted because it was the investigating agency.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has declined to grant an urgent hearing for a fresh plea by the victim’s parents, who are seeking a re-investigation of the case.
The apex court has scheduled the matter for a hearing on March 17.
On January 30, Central Bureau of Investigation’s special court in Sealdah sentenced Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata police, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run hospital.
The tragedy, which took place on August 9 last year, triggered nationwide outrage and protests. Roy was arrested a day after the doctor’s body was discovered in a seminar room on third floor.
The CBI relied on forensic evidence, including DNA and toxicology reports, along with CCTV footage that linked Roy to the crime. The federal agency’s investigation, which examined testimony from over 120 witnesses, concluded that the victim died from strangulation and smothering.
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