How is R G Kar case not 'rarest of rare'? Mamata Banerjee questions Sanjay Roy's sentencing

Mamata Banerjee

Expressing strong disappointment over the sentencing of Sanjay Roy, the convict in RG Kar rape and murder case, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday questioned the verdict and asked how did the case not fit under the template of "rarest of rare case".

On Monday, a Kolkata court sentenced Sanjay Roy, the convict in the rape-murder case of a 34-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, to life imprisonment and noted that the case was not in the 'rarest of the rare' category for a death penalty.

During the trail, the CBI pleaded for the highest penalty in the case. “This is the rarest of the rare case. The victim was a meritorious student, she was the asset of the society. This incident has shaken the entire society. The parents have lost their daughter. If doctors are not safe then what can be said? Only the death penalty can bring confidence to the society. We have to restore the confidence of the society," the CBI submitted.

Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10, a day after the 31-year-old medic’s body was found in the seminar room of the hospital.

"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," expressed the West Bengal chief minister.

"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? 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." observed Banerjee.