The West Bengal government on Tuesday approached the Calcutta High Court to seek the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, who was convicted in the R.G. Kar rape and murder case. This comes a day after the Sealdah court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment “until his last breath,” rejecting the CBI’s plea for capital punishment and ruling that the case did not qualify as the “rarest of rare.”
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier announced her government’s intent to push for the death penalty, but the victim’s father has expressed dissatisfaction with the state’s handling of the case.
Victim’s Father Blames Mamata Banerjee
Speaking to mediapersons, the victim’s father said, “She does not have to do anything in a hurried manner. Whatever the Chief Minister has done till date, she should not do any further.” He alleged evidence tampering by key officials under her administration, saying, “The then CP (Commissioner of Police) and others tampered with evidence. Could she not see all that from the beginning?”
The father also pointed to shortcomings in the investigation, stating that the CBI had failed to present convincing evidence, which led the court to order life imprisonment instead of capital punishment.
RG Kar Case – Court Proceedings
On Monday, Additional Sessions Judge Anirban Das delivered the life imprisonment sentence for Sanjay Roy after convicting him on Saturday. The judge noted that while the CBI advocated for capital punishment, the crime did not meet the stringent criteria for the “rarest of rare” cases necessary to justify the death penalty.
In response, State Advocate General Kishore Dutta mentioned the government’s appeal to the Calcutta High Court, with the challenge being placed before Justice Debangshu Basak’s division bench. The court has allowed the filing of the case.
Background
Sanjay Roy was convicted for the rape and murder of a young medical professional within the premises of R.G. Kar Medical College. The brutal nature of the crime had shocked the public and led to demands for strict action. However, controversy has surrounded the investigation, with accusations of evidence tampering and administrative negligence.
What’s Next?
As the state government continues to push for the death penalty in the High Court, questions linger over the role of the administration and the quality of evidence presented by the investigators. The victim’s father’s sharp criticism of Mamata Banerjee’s handling of the case has added a political dimension to the already sensitive matter, raising stakes ahead of the next round of judicial hearings.
BY – KARTIK
