
The West Bengal government on Wednesday has filed an appeal in the Calcutta High Court, challenging the life sentence handed to Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape and murder case.
The state is seeking a death penalty for Roy, and the matter will be heard on January 27.
Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the state, approached the Division Bench, headed by Justice Debangshu Basak, requesting that the death sentence be imposed instead of life imprisonment. In addition to the life sentence, Roy was also fined Rs 50,000 by the Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court.
The RG Kar case, which involves the brutal rape and murder of a young woman at RG Kar Hospital, has drawn widespread attention. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her disappointment with the court’s verdict, stating that had Kolkata Police handled the case, they would have ensured a death penalty. “I found out about the sentencing from the media. We have always advocated for the death penalty, and we still stand by it.
But ultimately, the decision rests with the court. In other cases, Kolkata Police managed to secure the death penalty through thorough investigations within 54-60 days. This was a serious case, and if it had been under our jurisdiction, we would have ensured the death penalty long ago,” Mamata Banerjee said during a press conference in Malda.
The victim’s father has rejected the Rs.17 lakh compensation offered by the state, emphasizing that he is seeking justice, not financial support. “The court’s decision is based on the evidence presented by the CBI, but we still have many concerns about the investigation. We didn’t go to court for compensation. We want justice, not money. The Kolkata Police have caused us more pain than my daughter’s death,” he said in an interview with media.
The case continues to make headlines, and the hearing scheduled for January 27 will be a crucial moment in determining whether the demand for the death penalty will proceed in this high-profile case.