Calcutta High Court Set to Hear Appeals in RG Kar Case: State Seeks Death Penalty, CBI Opposes

Kolkata (The Uttam Hindu): The Calcutta High Court is scheduled to hear appeals related to the RG Kar rape and murder case on January 27, 2025. This comes after the West Bengal government's plea for the death penalty for Sanjay Roy who was sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024. The state argues that the crime falls into the "rarest of rare" category justifying a capital punishment.

However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has challenged the state's right to appeal, asserting that only the CBI or the central government has the authority to contest the sentence on grounds of inadequacy. The trial court found Roy guilty on several charges, including rape and murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment on January 20, 2025. Judge Anirban Das remarked that while the crime was grievous, it did not meet the threshold for a death penalty highlighting the principles of reformative justice. The CBI's position is crucial as it raises procedural concerns about who is entitled to appeal in cases investigated by central agencies.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage and protests across India, particularly from medical professionals who are advocating for improved safety measures in workplaces. The victim's family, along with political leaders has expressed discontent with the life sentence calling for harsher punishments for such heinous crimes. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticized the trial court's decision and pledged to seek a more severe sentence through legal means. With public interest at a high, the upcoming High Court hearing will play a key role in deciding whether the state's appeal for the death penalty will be allowed and what implications it might have for future legal interpretations concerning sentencing in similar cases.