Court in India Sentences Police Officer to Life Imprisonment for Rape and Murder of Junior Doctor

Kolkatta:A court in India has sentenced a police officer to life imprisonment for the horrific rape and murder of a junior doctor, Mamita, in Kolkata. The judge, Anirban Das, ruled that while the crime was devastating, it did not qualify for the death penalty, stating that it was not among the “most exceptional cases” deserving of such a punishment.

The case of the 31-year-old female doctor’s rape and murder had sent shockwaves throughout India, highlighting the growing issue of violence against women in the country. The public had demanded the perpetrators be publicly hanged, but on Monday, the victim’s family, visibly emotional, expressed their shock at the sentence. They had hoped for the death penalty but were left disappointed, stating they had not received justice.

Judge Anirban Das, while delivering the verdict, explained that the case, while tragic, did not warrant the death penalty. Instead, the convict, Sanjay Roy, would spend the rest of his life behind bars. The judge also mentioned that Roy had the right to appeal the decision.

The crime occurred in August 2024, when the bloodied body of the trainee doctor was found at a government hospital in Kolkata, sparking a wave of anger and grief across India. Following the murder, doctors in government hospitals demanded increased security, and thousands of citizens across Kolkata and other parts of India joined protests in solidarity with the medical community.

Sanjay Roy, the only suspect in the case, was arrested the day after the discovery of the body. The 33-year-old police officer had been stationed at the hospital. In response to the shocking crime, India’s Supreme Court had ordered a national task force to review measures to enhance the security of healthcare workers, acknowledging that the brutality of the murder had deeply disturbed the nation’s conscience.

The victim’s parents, who were seated near the accused during the court proceedings, expressed their desire for Roy to be sentenced to death. However, the judge’s decision to sentence him to life imprisonment came as a profound shock to them. The victim’s father told the media that they would continue to fight for justice, vowing not to let the investigation come to a halt.

The brutality of the doctor’s murder has been compared to the infamous 2012 Delhi bus gang rape and murder, which sparked weeks of nationwide protests. While capital punishment is legally available in India, it is rarely carried out. The last execution in the country took place in March 2020, when four men convicted in the 2012 Delhi bus gang rape case were hanged.

Despite claiming his innocence, Sanjay Roy repeated on Monday that he was falsely implicated in the crime. His defense lawyer, Kabita Sarkar, announced plans to appeal the ruling.

As the verdict was being announced, thousands of people gathered outside the courtroom, defying police efforts to control the crowd. Many were chanting slogans demanding the death penalty for the convict.

Rimjhim Sinha, a 34-year-old activist who had led several public rallies demanding justice and women’s safety, expressed her dismay at the life imprisonment sentence. She called the crime “satanic” and emphasized that it was a part of the larger movement to address rising incidents of rape and murder in India. She called on the public to take action and curb such crimes, marking this case as part of India’s broader fight against violence and injustice towards women.