Kolkata Court Delivers Life Sentence in Shocking Hospital Murder Case

A court in Kolkata has sentenced police volunteer Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a junior doctor, a crime that stirred national concern over women's safety. Despite Roy's claim of innocence, evidence led to the conviction, though the death penalty was not deemed necessary.

An Indian court has handed down a life sentence to Sanjay Roy, a police volunteer, after convicting him of the rape and murder of a junior doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The crime ignited widespread outrage and led to protests by healthcare professionals demanding improved security measures.

The victim's body was discovered on August 9 in a classroom, prompting nationwide debate over the security conditions for women. Following a swift trial, Judge Anirban Das ruled against Roy, rejecting his plea of innocence and clemency. The federal police advocated for the death penalty, categorizing the crime as 'rarest-of-rare.'

Despite these demands, Judge Das concluded that the crime did not meet such criteria, allowing Roy the possibility of appeal to a higher court. Monday's sentencing was attended by the victim's grieving family and was surrounded by heightened security measures at the court complex.

(With inputs from agencies.)