Indian Court Sentences Police Volunteer to Life Imprisonment for Rape and Murder of Doctor

An Indian court has handed a life sentence to Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, for the brutal rape and murder of a doctor on duty last year. This crime incited widespread protests across India, highlighting the persistent issue of violence against women in the country. Roy, maintaining his innocence, has stated plans to appeal the verdict in a higher court, claiming he is a victim of false accusations and mistreatment during the investigation process.

During the sentencing, Judge Anirban Das indicated that the crime did not meet the criteria for the death penalty. The victim's family had requested capital punishment, but Roy's defense attorney argued for the judge to provide reasoning for not considering rehabilitation, asserting that the prosecution needed to justify a permanent removal from society. The 31-year-old victim was discovered in a seminar hall at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, with an autopsy revealing that she had suffered sexual assault and strangulation.

The investigation was initially conducted by local police but was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) due to allegations of mishandling. The CBI maintained that the severity of the crime warranted the death penalty, a view shared by the victim's family, who expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation's scope, believing that more perpetrators were involved.

The incident galvanized public outrage, leading to demonstrations by medical professionals and activists advocating for enhanced safety measures and quicker judicial responses. The Supreme Court responded by creating a national task force aimed at improving security in hospitals. Following the court’s ruling, West Bengal's government was instructed to provide the victim's family with compensation, but they emphasized their desire for justice over monetary reparations.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her discontent with the sentencing outcome, asserting that the community's call for the death penalty was unmet. She criticized the federal investigation process, suggesting that if local authorities had handled the case, the outcome might have been different.

In the wake of this case, junior doctors convened protests demanding capital punishment, underscoring the continued struggle for women's safety in India. Despite reforms implemented after the notorious 2012 gang rape case in New Delhi, there remains a stark reality of prevalent violence against women. Legislative changes have been enacted, establishing stricter penalties and creating fast-track courts; however, activists argue that these measures have not effectively changed the cultural and systemic issues that contribute to sexual violence. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, reported rape cases increased by 20% in 2022, raising concerns about the underlying factors driving this trend.