Not 'Rare Enough': Sanjoy Roy's Life Sentence - Left, Right, and Centre Crime

More than five months after the nation-igniting rape and murder at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, the trial court announced its verdict: life sentence for chief accused Sanjoy Roy.

On January 20, Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das ruled that Sanjoy Roy’s rape and murder of the junior doctor, committed on August 9, 2024, did not meet the “rarest of the rare” criteria necessary for a death penalty, despite the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) advocating for the maximum punishment. The court also imposed a fine of ₹50,000 and directed the West Bengal government to pay ₹17 lakh in compensation to the victim’s family.

Throughout the trial, Roy maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed and alleging mistreatment during custody. The victim’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, asserting that the investigation was inadequate and that other potential perpetrators remained unpunished. The West Bengal government has since announced plans to appeal the court’s decision, seeking a harsher sentence for Roy.

The case in its course had raised critical questions about (and strikes for) the safety of medical professionals and now the verdict has raised questions on the effectiveness of the justice system in addressing crimes against women, leading to calls for further investigation and accountability.

Jargon

life imprisonment: A sentence where the convict is imprisoned for the remainder of their natural life, without the possibility of parole or early release.
rarest of the rare: A legal standard used to determine whether a crime is heinous enough to warrant the death penalty, indicating that the crime must be exceptionally brutal and shocking to society.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): India’s premier investigative agency responsible for investigating serious crimes, including corruption and organised crime.
appeal: A legal process where a higher court is asked to review the decision of a lower court, often seeking to overturn or modify the original ruling.

Viewpoints 💭

‘Left’ Viewpoint

Ideological Differences

‘Right’ Viewpoint

The left criticises the verdict as insufficient, arguing that the life sentence undermines the severity of the crime and the victim’s family’s pursuit of justice.
They emphasise the need for systemic reforms to address gender-based violence and ensure the safety of medical professionals.
The left questions the integrity of the investigation, suggesting political influence and corruption may have affected the outcome.
They advocate for a more thorough investigation to identify and prosecute all individuals involved in the crime.
The left supports the victim’s family’s dissatisfaction with monetary compensation, emphasszing that justice cannot be equated with financial settlements.

The left views the life sentence as a reflection of systemic failures in addressing gender-based violence, while the right sees it as a failure to deliver justice for a heinous crime.
While the left emphasises the need for comprehensive reforms and accountability in the investigation, the right focuses on the necessity of harsher punishments to deter future crimes.
The left questions the integrity of the investigation and suggests political influence, whereas the right supports the CBI’s involvement as a means to ensure a fair trial.
The left criticises the reliance on monetary compensation as inadequate, while the right views the death penalty as a necessary measure to uphold justice and societal values.
The left advocates for systemic changes to improve safety and justice for medical professionals, while the right emphasises the need for stricter laws and harsher punishments to protect societal interests.

The right supports the CBI’s call for the death penalty, viewing the crime as a ‘rarest of rare’ case that warrants the harshest punishment.
They argue that the life sentence fails to restore public trust in the justice system and undermines societal faith in law enforcement.
The right criticises the state government’s handling of the case, suggesting that the transfer to the CBI was necessary to ensure a fair investigation.
They emphasise the need for stricter laws and harsher punishments to deter future crimes and protect societal values.
The right supports the victim’s family’s demand for the death penalty, viewing it as a necessary measure to uphold justice and accountability.

Prominent Voices 📣

From the ‘Left’

From the ‘Right’

Mamata Banerjee (Chief Minister of West Bengal): Expressed strong dissatisfaction with the life sentence, advocating for the death penalty and criticising the CBI’s handling of the case, suggesting that the Kolkata police would have secured a harsher penalty. ¹ ²
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress Leader): Voiced public disappointment and loss of trust in the state government, emphasising the need for the strictest punishment for the accused. ³
Shubhankar Sarkar (WB State Congress President): Criticised the state health department for corruption and nepotism, suggesting the incident exposed systemic issues. ⁴
Salman Khurshid (Congress leader): Highlighted the importance of due process while acknowledging public concern over justice. ⁵

Sukanta Majumdar (Union Minister): Called for a deeper investigation, suggesting that more individuals might be involved in the crime. ³
Samik Bhattacharya (BJP MP): Criticised the state government for mishandling the case and questioned the integrity of the investigation. ⁶
Kamaljeet Sehrawat (BJP MP): Criticised the state government’s handling of the case and demanded the death penalty. ⁵
Amit Malviya (BJP leader): Criticised the verdict as a travesty of justice, calling for an appeal and an investigation into the roles of the Kolkata Commissioner and Mamata Banerjee. ⁷ ⁸
Tapas Roy (BJP leader): Alleged a broader conspiracy, calling for a deeper investigation and comprehensive justice, as others involved have not been punished. ⁷