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Expressing her disappointment that Sanjay Roy, the man convicted of raping and murdering a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, did not get the death penalty, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said her government will approach the High Court.
Immediately after a Kolkata court sentenced Roy to life imprisonment till death on Monday, the Trinamool Congress chief - whose government came under fire for its alleged "mishandling" of the case and faced widespread protests, including from junior doctors - said the Kolkata Police would have ensured death penalty for him, but the investigation was taken away from the force and handed over to the CBI.
"We demanded death penalty from Day 1. We demand it now too. But it's the court's order. I can share my party's opinion... we ensured death penalty in three cases within 60 days. If the case stayed with us, we would have ensured death penalty long back. I am not satisfied... Had it been the death penalty, at least my heart would have been somewhat at peace," Ms Banerjee said.
In a post on X in the evening, Ms Banerjee expressed "shock" that the judgment held that the rape and murder did not fall in the category of "rarest of rare cases". Asserting that the case warrants capital punishment, she said her government would "plead" for it at the High Court.
"I am convinced that it is indeed a rarest of rare case which demands capital punishment. How could the judgement come to the conclusion that it is not a rarest of rare case?! We want and insist upon death penalty in this most sinister and sensitive case.Recently, in last 3/4 months, we have been able to ensure capital/ maximum punishment for convicts in such crimes. Then, why, in this case, has capital punishment not been awarded? (sic)," she wrote.
In the R.G. Kar junior doctor's rape and murder case, I am really shocked to see that the judgement of the Court today finds that it is not a Rarest of Rare case!
I am convinced that it is indeed a rarest of rare case which demands capital punishment. How could the judgement…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 20, 2025
"I strongly feel that it is a heinous crime that warrants capital punishment. We will plead for capital punishment of the convict at the High Court now," the chief minister added.