Sanjay Roy convicted in RG Kar rape-murder case of trainee doctor by Sealdah court in Kolkata.

Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, was found guilty on Saturday of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, a crime that ignited nationwide outrage over women’s safety.

The verdict, delivered by Anirban Das, the additional district and sessions judge of Sealdah court, came 57 days after the in-camera trial began on November 12. Roy was convicted under Sections 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which governs rape, and Sections 66 and 103(1) of the Act, which prescribes punishment for death and murder. Section 103(1) carries the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment.

While Roy maintained his innocence, claiming in court that he had been framed, the judge stated he would have a chance to speak before the sentencing on Monday.

The victim’s parents expressed gratitude for the verdict and said they felt the court had honored their trust. The 28-year-old postgraduate trainee’s body was found in a seminar room at the hospital on August 9, leading to weeks of protests from doctors demanding justice and better security in public hospitals.

Sanjay Roy, a volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested the day after the crime. While investigators stated he acted alone, the victim’s family and junior doctors questioned the possibility of a larger conspiracy. The case caused national shock and sparked protests over the safety of medical professionals in the workplace.

By Saturday, the Sealdah court complex had a heavy police presence, with barricades in place to control access and ensure safety. Protesters gathered outside, demanding the maximum punishment for Roy, with Koushik Maity from the ‘Bangla Pokkha’ group calling for the strictest possible penalty to set a precedent.

The trial, which began in late August, was held behind closed doors. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) presented evidence, including CCTV footage showing Roy near the crime scene, and requested the harshest penalty. However, the victim’s parents have consistently questioned the thoroughness of the investigation, asserting, “One person alone couldn’t have done this. We demand a larger investigation to uncover the full truth.”

Protests continued as the Junior Doctors’ Front (JDF) and other medical associations prepared to demonstrate at the court, stressing that this case wasn’t just about one individual, but the safety of all healthcare workers.

The tragic crime, which led to a state-wide strike by junior doctors, temporarily halting healthcare services, has raised concerns about the safety of medical staff in the region.