Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again voiced her disappointment over the Sealdah court’s decision to sentence Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment till death in the RG Kar doctor rape and murder case. The court had rejected the demand for capital punishment, stating the crime did not fall under the “rarest of the rare” category.
Speaking at a public meeting in Malda, Banerjee said, “If someone is so demonic and barbaric, then how can society remain humane? I have been seeking capital punishment for the accused in the RG Kar incident. If this is not a rarest of rare case, then what is it?”
Aparajita Bill and Call for Capital Punishment
Highlighting the severity of the crime, Banerjee reiterated her support for the Aparajita Bill, passed by the West Bengal Assembly in 2024, which seeks to introduce harsher punishments, including the death penalty, for sexual offences. She criticized the Centre for not implementing the bill and emphasized the need for stricter measures to prevent such heinous acts.
Dissatisfaction with the Probe
The Chief Minister expressed her belief that the outcome would have been different had the state police handled the investigation. “The probe was forcibly taken from us. If it was with our police, we would have ensured the death penalty,” she said.
High Court Intervention
In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court has granted the West Bengal government permission to appeal against the Sealdah court’s verdict. Advocate General Kishor Datta will seek the death penalty for the convict in the case, marking the state’s determination to challenge the decision.
This case has sparked widespread debate on judicial interpretations of the “rarest of rare” doctrine and the need for harsher penalties in cases of extreme violence.
