RG Kar case: Mamata Banerjee expresses dismay over Sealdah court sentencing convict to life imprisonment

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expresses dismay over Sealdah court order awarding life imprisonment till death in rape-murder case.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (January 21, 2025) again expressed dismay over the Sealdah court order which awarded life imprisonment till death to Sanjay Roy the sole convict in the rape and murder of a doctor at a State-run hospital.

The Sealdah court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment till death after he was convicted of raping and murdering the on-duty doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, rejecting demands for the death penalty saying it was not a "rarest of the rare" crime.

"I have been seeking capital punishment for the accused in the R G Kar death incident. If someone is so demonic and barbaric, then how can society remain humane? We have passed the Aparajita Bill, but the Centre is sitting on it," she said at a public meeting in Malda.

Ms. Banerjee said, "If someone is given life imprisonment, then the person can get freed on parole. I was once a lawyer and fought several cases. The Sealdah court judge said that it was not the rarest of rare cases and could not award capital punishment. If this is not rarest of rare case then what is it".

Aparajita Bill passed by the West Bengal Assembly in September 2024 aims to increase the punishment for rape and other sexual offences by introducing death penalty and life imprisonment.

"I feel it is rare, sensitive and a heinous crime committed by the accused," she said.

On Monday (January 20, 20225) Ms. Banerjee had expressed "dissatisfaction" over the Sealdah court order and claimed the probe was "forcibly" taken away from the State police, asserting that had it been with them, they would have ensured a death penalty.