On January 20, 2025, a Sealdah court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment till death for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The case has raised serious concerns about the state’s handling of crime and justice under the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
Roy, a former civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was convicted based on strong forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and phone records. Despite the overwhelming evidence, including DNA matches between Roy and the victim’s blood, the court chose not to impose the death penalty, citing the crime as not fitting the "rarest of the rare" category. This decision has led to questions about the priorities of the TMC government, which has faced criticism for its handling of high-profile cases.
The victim, a postgraduate trainee doctor, was found murdered and sexually assaulted in a seminar room at RG Kar Hospital in August 2024. The trial, which began in November, ended in January with Roy’s conviction. However, despite the severity of the crime, the TMC government has been accused of failing to ensure swift justice. Critics argue that the government’s inaction in addressing such heinous acts undermines public trust in the state’s legal system.
Judge Anirban Das, who presided over the case, also ordered the West Bengal government to pay ₹17 lakh as compensation to the victim’s family. While the sentence provides some justice, the absence of the death penalty has sparked widespread anger. Many believe that such leniency sends a concerning message about the state’s commitment to addressing grave crimes.
Sanjay Roy, however, continues to deny the charges, claiming he was falsely implicated. His defense, which blames senior police officers, adds to the narrative of corruption and inefficiency that has tainted the TMC’s reputation in recent years.
As West Bengal grapples with this case, the public hopes for reforms and stronger accountability within the state's justice system.
