The recent conviction of Sanjay Roy for the heinous rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has ignited a fierce political debate in West Bengal. The Sealdah court’s verdict, which found Roy guilty of rape, murder, and other charges, has been welcomed by both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and opposition parties, but with differing views on the case’s implications.The TMC has demanded the harshest possible punishment for Roy, with senior party MP Sougata Roy calling for the death penalty. “This will restore people’s faith in the system,” Roy emphasized. The party’s state general secretary, Kunal Ghosh, criticized the opposition for politicizing the case, highlighting that the TMC had condemned the crime from the outset.On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed the conviction but is pushing for a deeper investigation into potential conspiracies surrounding the crime. Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari urged authorities to probe claims made by the victim’s family and junior doctors at the hospital, suggesting that more individuals may have been involved. Adhikari expressed disappointment that former RG Kar Hospital principal Sandip Ghosh and former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal were not punished alongside Roy.The BJP’s state president, Sukanta Majumdar, raised concerns about potential evidence tampering during the initial investigation by Kolkata Police. “The court has convicted him, but people believe others were involved,” Majumdar noted. The party’s demands for a more thorough investigation have been echoed by other opposition parties, including the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)).Here’s a reaction from a student of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital:“We, as a community, are still trying to come to terms with the brutality of the crime, though it is a small victory for us. The pain and trauma that our senio Dr. endured are unimaginable. It’s heartbreaking to see one of our own fall victim to such a heinous act. However, I must express my disappointment that the investigation didn’t go far enough. We had raised concerns about potential lapses in security and the involvement of other individuals. I hope that the authorities will take our concerns seriously and conduct a more thorough investigation. For now, we take solace in the fact that justice has been served, and we hope that this verdict will serve as a deterrent to potential perpetrators. We will continue to fight for justice and ensure that our institution remains a safe and secure place for all.” Sudeshna DeThe case, which involved the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor on August 9, 2024, had sparked widespread protests and nationwide outrage. The initial handling of the investigation by Kolkata Police was heavily criticized, leading the Calcutta High Court to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The trial, which commenced on November 14, 2023, unfolded with a total of 50 witnesses taking the stand to share their accounts, providing a comprehensive narrative of the events surrounding the crime.As the sentencing hearing approaches on Monday, the victim’s family and supporters are anxiously awaiting the outcome. The case has become a rallying cry for justice and accountability in West Bengal, with many calling for systemic reforms to prevent such heinous crimes in the future. As the political debate continues to simmer, one thing is clear: the people of West Bengal demand justice, and they demand it now.
By Anusmita Bhatta
Reporting for True To Life News Media Pvt. Ltd.