Kolkata Court Sentences Doctor's Rapist-Murderer to Life Imprisonment

Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata. The crime, which occurred in August 2024, sparked nationwide protests demanding greater safety for women in public spaces. Judge Anirban Das ruled that the case did not qualify for the death penalty, despite the victim's family expressing disappointment at the decision, as they had hoped for capital punishment. Roy's defense attorney announced plans to appeal the verdict, while the victim's parents indicated they would also seek further legal options. The case has drawn comparisons to the infamous 2012 Delhi gang rape, as it reignited discussions on women's safety in India. Activists and the West Bengal government have called for stricter punishments and better security measures in hospitals following the verdict.