Kolkata: The RG Kar case has taken a dramatic turn as the state government, under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, filed an appeal in the Calcutta High Court demanding the death penalty for Sanjay Roy. Convicted in the heinous RG Kar rape and murder case, Sanjay Roy was handed a life sentence yesterday by Sealdah Court Judge Anirban Das, sparking widespread debate and political reactions.
The Chief Minister, visibly upset by the verdict, did not mince words in expressing her dissatisfaction. “I am not satisfied with the verdict!” she declared, emphasizing that her government had consistently advocated for the death penalty from the outset. Mamata Banerjee accused the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of mishandling the case and alleged intentional delays. “If the case had remained with us, we would have ensured the death penalty much earlier,” she remarked, reiterating her party’s stance on delivering swift justice in similar cases.
Government’s Appeal for Maximum Punishment
The state’s displeasure with the life sentence was swiftly followed by action. Advocate General Kishore Dutt, representing the government, moved an application before the Division Bench of Justice Debangshu Basak in the Calcutta High Court today. The plea, seeking the maximum punishment for Sanjay Roy, was accepted by the court, and the hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.
The Chief Minister also took to social media to voice her concerns, calling the RG Kar case a “rarest of rare” incident that warranted the death penalty. She expressed her shock at the lower court’s refusal to classify it as such, arguing that the crime was unparalleled in its brutality and deserved the harshest punishment under the law.
CBI Under Fire
Banerjee’s criticism extended to the CBI, which she accused of deliberately stalling justice. “The case was taken away from us intentionally,” she alleged, suggesting that political motivations might have played a role in the delay and ultimate verdict. The CBI had initially pushed for the death penalty, but their arguments failed to sway the lower court.
Public Outrage and Political Implications
The RG Kar case has not only gripped the state but also sparked a broader debate about judicial discretion and the rarest-of-rare doctrine. The Chief Minister’s unequivocal stand and her government’s rapid legal response have been lauded by some as a strong commitment to justice, while others view it as political posturing.
Legal experts believe the High Court’s decision will have significant implications, both for the case and for how similar crimes are adjudicated in the future. “The state’s insistence on the death penalty underscores the need for clearer guidelines on sentencing in such grave cases,” said a senior advocate.
What’s Next?
With the High Court hearing scheduled for tomorrow, all eyes are on Justice Debangshu Basak’s Division Bench. Will the state government’s demand for the death penalty be upheld, or will the life sentence stand? As the case unfolds, the RG Kar incident continues to evoke strong emotions, raising critical questions about justice, governance, and the role of the judiciary.
