In a dramatic turn of events, the parents of the victim in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case have expressed opposition to the death penalty for convict Sanjay Roy, despite the state government and CBI seeking capital punishment for him.
Sanjay Roy was sentenced to life imprisonment until the end of his natural life for the brutal rape and murder of an on-duty trainee doctor at RG Kar hospital on August 9 of last year. The Sealdah sessions court handed down the sentence on January 20, but both the state and CBI have moved the Calcutta High Court, arguing for the death penalty, claiming the trial court’s sentence was inadequate.
However, Gargi Goswami, the victim’s parents’ counsel, stated that they do not want the death penalty for Roy. Instead, they wish to see the trial of other accused individuals begin without further delay. Goswami claimed that the parents want the maximum sentence allowed by law to be upheld, and they feel that executing Roy would eliminate the possibility of gathering more information regarding the broader conspiracy behind the crime, of which Roy may still hold vital knowledge.
The victim’s parents, who have expressed doubts about the investigation, have also filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking intervention in the case. They have voiced concerns about possible efforts to shield the masterminds behind the murder and the lack of progress in the investigation.
The CBI has indicated that they may submit a supplementary chargesheet regarding the RG Kar hospital financial irregularities case, which involves former principal Sandip Ghosh, a key accused currently in jail. Another accused, former officer-in-charge of Tala police station Abhijit Mondal, is out on bail, facing charges of tampering with evidence.
The parents’ position that keeping Roy alive would allow for further investigation into the conspiracy has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the probe so far. Despite the death of their daughter, they have emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation and the need to bring all those involved to justice.
In response, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh accused left-wing and ultra-left groups of influencing the family’s stance, claiming that the parents’ statements contradicted their previous demand for justice. Ghosh suggested that these forces had used the parents’ emotions to sway their opinion, despite the trial court’s finding that Roy was guilty of all charges.
The Calcutta High Court has reserved its judgment after hearing the arguments from both the state and CBI, with the victim’s family present in court. The case continues to unfold, with ongoing calls for justice and a comprehensive investigation into the larger conspiracy.
