Kolkata rape-murder case: Sealdah sessions court to pronounce verdict today

The brutal attack on the doctor, referred to as ‘Abhaya,’ sparked nationwide outrage, triggering widespread protests across India.

The Sealdah court in Kolkata court is set to deliver its verdict today in the case concerning the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, which occurred on August 9, 2024, sent shockwaves across the nation, sparking massive protests by medical professionals and citizens demanding justice.

The judgement, to be delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das, comes 57 days after the trial commenced. The in-camera trial began on November 12, 2024, and concluded on January 9, 2025, with statements recorded from 50 witnesses, including the victim’s parents, investigating officials, forensic experts, and colleagues.

The victim’s family had, in an interaction with the media, expressed deep anguish over the incident and called for the death penalty for the main accused, Sanjay Roy. “We hope Roy gets capital punishment, but we believe he did not act alone. There are unanswered questions, and we suspect involvement from others within the chest department, which the CBI failed to properly investigate,” the family told PTI. They also criticised the initial mishandling of the case by the Kolkata Police and raised concerns about a lack of thoroughness in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

The case was transferred to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court, which condemned the state government and police for their approach in the immediate aftermath of the crime. The CBI identified Sanjay Roy as the "sole prime accused" in its chargesheet and sought the death penalty. Roy was arrested by the Kolkata Police a day after the victim’s body was recovered from a seminar hall at the hospital.

During its investigation, the CBI also arrested former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and Tala police station officer Abhijit Mondal for allegedly tampering with evidence. Ghosh is under additional scrutiny by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged financial irregularities during his tenure. Both Ghosh and Mondal were, however, released on bail as the CBI failed to file chargesheets against them within the mandated 90 days.

The Supreme Court also took suo motu cognisance of the case, forming a National Task Force (NTF) to develop protocols for the safety of doctors and medical professionals nationwide. The NTF submitted its recommendations to the apex court in November last year.

The brutal attack on the doctor, referred to as ‘Abhaya,’ sparked nationwide outrage, triggering widespread protests across India. Doctors, civil society members, and citizens united in holding hunger strikes and demonstrations, demanding stronger security measures for medical professionals and swift justice for the perpetrators.

The incident raised critical concerns about the safety of healthcare workers, prompting thousands to take to the streets in West Bengal and other states. Protesters had also called for a national law to safeguard medical professionals. The movement escalated into a prolonged deadlock between the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government and the agitating doctors, further highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms.