Kolkata Police Volunteer Convicted in Rape and Murder of Junior Doctor

KOLKATA, Jan 18 (Alliance News): An Indian police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, has been convicted of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The crime, which took place in August, prompted nationwide outrage over women’s safety and demands for better hospital security.

The 25-year-old victim’s body was discovered on August 9 in a classroom at the state-run hospital. The incident led to weeks of protests by medical professionals seeking justice and increased security measures at public healthcare facilities.

While Roy denied the charges and claimed he was being framed, the court found him guilty in a trial described as “rarest of rare” by investigators. Judge Anirban Das announced that sentencing, which could range from life imprisonment to the death penalty, would take place on Monday.

The victim’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, believing others were involved. “Our daughter could not have met such a horrific end by a single man,” said her father, calling for broader accountability.

Doctors demonstrated outside the court in solidarity with the victim, and protests are expected to continue. Security measures at the hearing included the deployment of over 200 armed personnel.

India’s federal police cited testimonies from 128 witnesses, with 51 examined during the trial. The case was fast-tracked and began in November, following public outcry.

Charges of evidence tampering have also been leveled against the local police officer responsible for the crime scene and the hospital’s former head.

The officer is currently out on bail, while the ex-hospital head is in custody on separate financial irregularity charges.