RG Kar Rape-Murder Case: Calcutta High Court to Hear Sanjoy Roy’s Appeal in September

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, in the appeal filed by Sanjoy Roy, who is serving a sentence of imprisonment until the end of his natural life for rape and murder of a doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, scheduled the hearing in September.

The division bench comprising Justices Debangsu Basak and Md Shabbar Rashidi said that Roy’s appeal and Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) appeal seeking to enhance his sentence from life imprisonment to capital punishment will be heard together.

Roy is seeking acquittal, asserting that he has been wrongfully convicted. Today, his counsel argued that the conviction was primarily based on a single eyewitness account and circumstantial evidence.

The CBI, however, opposing the plea, contended that the offence was particularly brutal and falls within the 'rarest of rare' category, warranting the death sentence.

Earlier, the matter was mentioned before the division bench of Justice Debangsu Basak and Justice Prasenjit Biswas, who had directed that copies of the appeal be served on all concerned parties before the next date of hearing, i.e., July 16.

Roy has been convicted of the brutal assault, rape, and killing of the young medical professional, an incident that drew widespread outrage.

The appeals filed by the West Bengal government and the CBI challenging the life sentence awarded to Sanjoy Roy in the case were taken up by the Calcutta High Court on January 27, 2025.

Earlier, the handling of the case by the Kolkata state machinery was strongly criticised by the Supreme Court, observing that the approach taken in the case violated not only constitutional principles but also the dignity of the individual.

Public outrage and the gravity of the matter called for suo-motu cognizance by the Top Court on August 20, 2024.

Case Title: Sanjay Roy Vs The Central Bureau Of Investigation