Life Sentence for Indian Police Volunteer in Doctor's Rape and Murder Case

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An Indian police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar medical college and hospital in Kolkata. The crime, which occurred on August 9, 2024, ignited nationwide protests and widespread strikes among healthcare workers advocating for justice and enhanced security measures.

The judge, Anirban Das, rejected calls for the death penalty, stating that the crime did not qualify as a "rarest-of-rare" case. Roy was convicted based on circumstantial evidence while maintaining his innocence and claiming he was framed. He has the option to appeal the verdict.

The doctor’s body was found in a classroom, prompting medical professionals across the state to halt work in protest. The victim's parents expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, suspecting that more individuals were involved and advocating for a thorough inquiry into what they termed a “larger conspiracy.” Security was heightened at the courthouse during the sentencing, which was attended by the victim's family and a public audience.

India’s federal police presented 128 witnesses during the investigation, with 51 testifying in the expedited trial that began last November. Additional charges have been filed against officers implicated in the mishandling of the crime scene.

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