Police volunteer convicted for rape and murder of junior doctor in India's Kolkata

Sanjay Roy denied the charges, claiming he was framed, but Judge Das ruled circumstantial evidence proved his guilt.

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An Indian police volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was convicted on Saturday for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata city of India's West Bengal state..

The crime, which occurred on August 9, sparked national outrage and protests over the safety of women in public spaces.

The victim's body was discovered in a classroom at the hospital, leading to weeks of protests by fellow doctors demanding justice and improved security measures.

Roy, who had previously maintained his innocence, again denied the charges in court, claiming he was being framed. His defense team argued there were discrepancies in the investigation and forensic reports.

However, Judge Anirban Das stated that circumstantial evidence had conclusively proven Roy's guilt, and the sentencing, scheduled for Monday, could range from life imprisonment to the death penalty.

The victim's parents expressed their dissatisfaction with the investigation, stating they believed others were involved in the crime. “Our daughter could not have met such a horrific end by a single man,” her father said.

The case was fast-tracked, with 128 witnesses cited, 51 of whom testified during the trial. Doctors rallied outside the court, demanding justice, with protests planned to continue until all culprits are held accountable.

In addition to Roy, police have charged the officer in charge of the local police station at the time and the former head of the hospital for tampering with evidence and destroying the crime scene.

The officer is out on bail, while the former hospital head remains detained in a separate financial irregularities case.

The federal police had referred to the crime as "rarest of rare" and had called for the death penalty for Roy. Over 200 armed police officers were deployed to ensure security during the verdict.