RG Kar rape case LIVE: Kolkata court to deliver quantum of punishment at 2.45pm; Sanjay Roy pleads innocence

RG Kar Rape and Murder Case Hearing LIVE: The mother of the deceased doctor said that they have faith in the judge ahead of the quantum of the sentence being announced at 2:45 pm.

"We will not allow the investigation to be suppressed, we will take away the justice. My daughter will get justice for the people of the state, the people of the world, the people of the country and all those who are protesting. We have put our question in the High Court and we will get that answer from the Court. We have faith in the judge," she said.

RG Kar Rape and Murder Case Hearing LIVE: The father of the victim in the RG Kar case, ahead of the court pronouncing the quantum of the sentence said, "He (accused Sanjay Roy) tried to speak on Saturday, the court asked him to speak on Monday. We don't know what he will say. He is a criminal, there are other people involved with him...he should get the harshest punishment."

The Sealdah court will deliver the quantum of punishment to RG Kar case convict Sanjay Roy by 2.45 pm.

"Even if it is a rarest of rare case, there should be scope for reformation. The court must show why the convict is not worth reformation or rehabilitation... The public prosecutor has to present evidence and give reasons why the person is not worth reformation and should be completely eliminated from society," the judge noted.

The victim's family lawyer demanded a death sentence as the maximum punishment for Roy.

Dr Tapan Pramanik a doctor at the RG Kar Medical Hospital said that there were multiple people involved in the RG Kar rape and murder case and the investigation done by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is "totally worthless."

“I will welcome the verdict whether it is life imprisonment or hanging till death. As per the CBI investigation, Sanjay Roy is the main culprit but some reports of CBI have come out through media that 68 activities were recorded by CCTV but no one could be identified except Sanjay Roy,” he said.

However, he also said that he would welcome the verdict if it would be life imprisonment or hanging till death.

"I told you the previous day the charges you were convicted against and the charges that have been proven against you," the judge told Sanjay Roy.

Roy pleaded with the judge saying, “I have not done anything, neither rape nor murder. I am being falsely implicated. You have seen everything. I am innocent. I already told you that I was tortured. They made me sign whatever they wanted.”

The CBI's lawyer sought capital punishment.

The CBI court in Sealdah began its proceedings to deliver the quantum of punishment to convict Sanjay Roy.

The judge is expected to let Roy speak on his case and announce the punishme later.

On September 3, 2024, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the 'Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The bill allows for the death penalty for those convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state. For other rape convictions, the bill stipulates life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

The bill now awaits the Governor's assent to become law.

During the court hearing on Saturday, Roy pleaded innocence and maintained that he was being framed.

“I am innocent. I have a Rudraksh garland around my neck. Had I committed the crime it would have snapped that day. I am being framed. Others who were there have not been questioned,” said a visibly agitated Roy, as his counsel intervened to calm him down.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she would not comment until the court delivers its judgement.

"I had earlier demanded the death penalty, but it depends on the judge and how the case has been framed," she said.

The parents of the deceased doctor, who were on their way to the court, said they trusted the judiciary to deliver justice.

“We have faith in the judge,” said the victim’s father.

The deceased doctor's mother, however, expressed disappointment with the CBI investigation, alleging that "other perpetrators involved in the crime had not been brought to justice".

“Only one person is not involved in the crime, yet the CBI has failed to apprehend the others. Such criminals have no right to live if we are to prevent future crimes in society,” the bereaved mother said.

Amid tight security arrangements, Sanjay Roy, who has been convicted of raping and murdering an on-duty doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, was brought to a court here on Monday for pronouncement of the sentence.

The Sealdah court has been fortified with nearly 500 policemen deployed and the authorities left no stone unturned to prevent any untoward incident, police said.

“You have been accused of attacking the victim in the RG Kar Hospital, throttled and strangulated her to death. You have sexually assaulted her. Charges have been framed. After taking into account the witnesses and documents, it has been proved. The court finds you guilty,” Justice Anirban Das, additional district and sessions judge, told Sanjay Roy in a packed room.

During the court's hearing on Saturday, Sanjay Roy, the convict in the RG Kar rape and murder case, continued to claim innocence and alleged the involvement of an IPS officer in the crime.

Roy also alleged that he was being framed to protect the other high-profile accused in the case. The judge informed Roy that he would be given an opportunity to make a statement before the quantum of punishment was announced on Monday.