Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], January 22: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to seek the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, the convict in the RG Kar rape and murder case. Sources indicate that the application could be filed in the Calcutta High Court within the next two days, with the next hearing scheduled for January 27.
Earlier today, the West Bengal government appealed to the High Court division bench against the trial court’s decision to sentence Roy to life imprisonment. Advocate General Kishore Dutta approached the division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak, requesting the death penalty for the convict, and the matter has been allowed for filing.
The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court had previously sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment, alongside a Rs 50,000 fine. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, stating that had the Kolkata police been in charge of the investigation, they would have ensured a death sentence.
“I learned about the sentencing from the media. We have always demanded capital punishment and we continue to stand by it. However, this is the court’s decision and I can’t say much about this. In three other cases, the Kolkata police ensured capital punishment through thorough investigations completed within 54-60 days. This is a serious case, and had it been under our purview, we would have ensured the death penalty much earlier,” CM Mamata said while addressing the media in Malda.
On Monday, the victim’s father rejected the Rs 17 lakh compensation and stated that he would pursue the death penalty for Roy by appealing to a higher court.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari also extended his support to the victim’s family, voicing solidarity with their decision to challenge the life sentence. Speaking to ANI after meeting the family, Adhikari said, “I have been standing with the family from the very beginning. I have spoken to the parents, and we fully support their decision to reject the compensation and seek further legal action in the higher courts.”