The trial for the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which occurred on August 9, began on Monday in Kolkata. The court proceedings were conducted behind closed doors in the courtroom of Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das to maintain privacy during sensitive testimonies.
During the session, the victim’s father and a neighbor offered their testimonies, which were heard privately within the judge’s chambers, ensuring confidentiality and minimizing the emotional impact on those involved.
Sanjay Roy, the primary accused in the case and a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, appeared before the court as the trial unfolded. Following the session, Roy spoke with the media, categorically denying all charges. He reiterated his claim that he was the victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by senior police officers, including former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal.
“I did not commit the rape and murder,” Roy stated firmly, asserting his innocence. When asked who he believed was responsible, he replied, “They (senior Kolkata Police officials) know everything.”
Roy went further, alleging that high-ranking officers were actively involved in framing him. “They are behind this. The government is backing them. They’ve been threatening me. I’m giving you their names—Vineet Goyal and DCP Special. They are conspiring to frame me,” he said, according to reports from PTI.
On November 4, the court officially framed charges against Roy under Sections 64 (rape, punishable with life imprisonment or a minimum of 10 years), 66 (punishment for causing death or rendering the victim in a persistent vegetative state), and 103/1 (murder, punishable by death or life imprisonment) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Once again, Roy denied the charges, insisting, “I am innocent. I was framed. I did not commit the rape and murder.”
Roy was arrested by the Kolkata Police on August 10, just a day after the doctor’s lifeless body was discovered in a seminar hall at RG Kar Hospital. Following the Calcutta High Court’s intervention, the CBI took over the investigation and filed a 45-page chargesheet. The agency filed a 45-page chargesheet that detailed 11 key pieces of evidence—ranging from forensic to documentary—that firmly pointed to Roy as the perpetrator of the crime. Among the evidence presented were traces of the victim’s blood found on Roy’s jeans and shoes, his hair at the crime scene, and a Bluetooth earpiece linked to his phone.
The tragic event has sparked intense outrage across the nation, leading to widespread protests by medical professionals. Doctors from various parts of the country have united in demanding justice for the slain junior doctor, calling for a swift and fair trial. The case has highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare workers and prompted conversations about safety and accountability within medical institutions.
