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Indian Police Volunteer Who Raped Female Doctor Gets Life Sentence

A police volunteer identified as Sanjay Roy has been given a life sentence by an Indian court on Monday for the rape and killing of a junior physician at the state-run hospital in Kolkata where she worked. Because the crime did not fit within the “rarest-of-rare” category, the court denied requests for the death punishment.

On August 9, the victim’s body was found in a classroom at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, sparking protests by medical professionals who wanted justice and better safety in public institutions.

The convicted perpetrator, Sanjay Roy, was a police volunteer at the hospital. Judge Anirban Das, who presided over the case, found Roy guilty on Saturday based on circumstantial evidence.

Police Volunteer Convicted in Rape and Murder of Indian Trainee Doctor
Sanjay Roy

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Roy maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed, and sought clemency. However, federal police who investigated the crime argued that the case qualified as “rarest-of-rare,” warranting the death penalty. Judge Das disagreed, sentencing Roy to life imprisonment, which he clarified would mean “imprisonment until death,” on both rape and murder charges, emphasizing that it was not a rarest-of-rare crime after reviewing all the evidence and circumstances. The judge did acknowledge Roy’s right to appeal.

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Judgement In Court

The sentencing was announced in a crowded courtroom, with the judge allowing public attendance on Monday, though the earlier trial had been closed to the public. The victim’s parents were present, amidst heightened security with dozens of police personnel at the court complex. They had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the probe, suspecting wider involvement in the crime. Their lawyer, Amartya Dey, stated that they sought the death penalty for Roy and demanded that others involved in what they described as a “larger conspiracy” be held accountable.

Despite the sentencing, protesting doctors have said they will continue demonstrations until they feel justice has been fully served. India’s federal police presented 128 witnesses during the investigation, 51 of whom testified during the fast-tracked trial that began in November. In addition to Roy, police have also charged the local police station chief and the head of the hospital at the time of the crime with destruction of the crime scene and tampering with evidence.

Source: cnn

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