RG Kar Rape-Murder Case: CBI to seek death penalty in High Court for Sanjay Roy

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to seek the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, the convict in the RG Kar rape and murder case. Sources suggest that the application will likely be filed in the Calcutta High Court within the next two days. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 27.

Earlier today, the West Bengal government appealed to the High Court division bench against the trial court’s decision to sentence Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment. Advocate General Kishore Dutta approached the division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak, urging for the death penalty. The court has allowed the matter to be filed.

The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court had earlier sentenced Roy to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000.

Victim’s father rejected compensation

On Monday, the victim’s father in the RG Kar rape and murder case rejected the Rs 17 lakh compensation and stated he would approach a higher court to seek the death penalty for the accused.

Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari’s reaction

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly opposed the life sentence, stating that had the Kolkata police been in charge of the investigation, they would have ensured a death penalty. 

“I learned about the sentencing from the media. We have always demanded capital punishment and we continue to stand by it. However, this is the court’s decision and I can’t say much about this. For three other cases, Kolkata police ensured capital punishment through thorough investigations concluded within 54-60 days. This was a serious case. Had it been under our purview, we would have ensured the death penalty long back,” CM Mamata said while addressing the media at Malda.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari also expressed support for the victim’s parents, backing their decision to challenge the life sentence. Speaking to ANI after meeting the family, Adhikari said, “I am standing with the family since the first day. I have talked to the parents. We support the family’s decision to reject the compensation and move to the higher courts for the further fight.”