Indian Police Volunteer Sentenced to Life for Rape and Murder of Junior Doctor

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A police volunteer in India was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at a Kolkata hospital, a crime that prompted widespread protests and strikes in the medical community last year. The convicted individual, Sanjay Roy, was found guilty by Judge Anirban Das, who determined that the evidence presented supported the charges against him. Despite calls for the death penalty, the judge ruled that the crime did not meet the criteria of a "rarest-of-rare" case, stating that life imprisonment would mean incarceration until death.

The victim's body was discovered in a classroom at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Following her death, medical professionals staged protests to demand justice and improved security measures in public hospitals. Roy, maintaining his innocence and alleging he was framed, can appeal the decision to a higher court.

The victim's parents expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, believing that others were involved in the crime as well. Their legal representative indicated during the trial that they also sought the death penalty for Roy and sought justice for those they suspect were part of a broader conspiracy. The federal police had identified 128 witnesses in their investigation, leading to a fast-tracked trial that began in November.

In an additional development, it was revealed that charges have been filed against the officer in charge of the local police station and the head of the medical college for allegedly tampering with evidence and compromising the crime scene.

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