CBI Seeks Death Penalty for RG Kar Hospital Rape-Murder Convict, Moves Calcutta High Court
National: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an appeal before the Calcutta High Court, seeking the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, convicted in the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.
The division bench, comprising Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Md Shabbar Rashidi, has scheduled the hearing for January 27.
The CBI’s appeal challenges the January 20 judgment by a Sealdah court, which sentenced Roy to life imprisonment until the end of his natural life.
Representing the central agency, Deputy Solicitor General Rajdeep Majumdar argued that the CBI, as the investigating agency, has the right to challenge the trial court’s sentence on the grounds of inadequacy.
The West Bengal government has also filed an appeal seeking the death penalty for Roy. Advocate General Kishore Dutta stated that the life sentence handed to the convict was insufficient given the gravity of the crime.
The division bench will hear both the CBI’s and the state government’s appeals, along with submissions from the victim’s family and the convict’s legal representatives, before deciding on the admissibility of the appeals.
The CBI has contested the state government’s right to file an appeal, asserting that as the prosecuting agency, it holds the authority to challenge the lower court’s decision.
The victim’s family has also supported the push for the death penalty, calling for stricter punishment to reflect the heinous nature of the crime.
The case, which has sparked public outrage, remains under intense judicial scrutiny as both the CBI and the West Bengal government seek capital punishment for Roy.
The High Court’s decision will be closely watched for its implications on the judicial handling of such grave offenses.
Read More: Arunachal: Governor KT Parnaik Engages with Village Elders in Itanagar During Spiritual Tour