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Kolkata, January 18, 2025 – A Kolkata court today convicted Sanjay Roy of the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at the city’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The verdict came nearly two months after the on-camera trial began in November 2024, and 162 days following the horrifying incident on August 9, 2024.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das, who presided over the trial at Sealdah Court, pronounced Roy guilty under Sections 64 and 66 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which covers charges related to rape and murder. Roy also faced Section 103(1), which stipulates punishments ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty for such heinous acts. The sentence is set to be delivered on Monday, January 20, 2025.
During the court proceedings, Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, maintained his innocence, claiming he had been framed. However, Judge Das stated that Roy would have the opportunity to present his defense before sentencing is announced.
The case has attracted widespread attention, especially as it involved the tragic death of Abhaya (name changed), a young doctor who was on duty when the crime occurred. Her parents, deeply affected by the loss, expressed their gratitude toward the court after the verdict. “We have always trusted the judicial system, and today, we feel that our trust has been honored,” they said in a statement.
Roy’s arrest came just a day after the crime, on August 10, 2024, when police linked him to the murder through critical evidence found near the victim’s body. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the case following directives from the Calcutta High Court and confirmed that Roy acted alone. The agency had argued for the death penalty, emphasizing the brutality of the crime.
As the court prepares to pronounce the sentence, the city remains in shock, grappling with the senseless violence that claimed the life of a promising medical professional in her prime.
