RG Kar verdict: Junior doctors hold protest outside Sealdah Court, says “this punishment is not enough”

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], January 20 (ANI): Junior doctors held a protest outside the Sealdah Court on Monday demanding stricter punishment for the convict Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape-murder case.

Speaking to ANI, a junior doctor asserted that they would approach the higher court with their demand.

“We wanted a strict and exemplary punishment, this punishment is not enough. We will move to higher courts seeking a stricter judgement,” he said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday expressed dissatisfaction over the court giving life imprisonment to the convict in the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case and said if the case had been with Kolkata Police, they would have ensured a death penalty.

“I learned about the sentencing from the media. We have always demanded capital punishment and we continue to stand by it. However, this is the court’s decision and I can’t say much about this. For three other cases, Kolkata police ensured capital punishment through thorough investigations concluded within 54-60 days. This was a serious case. Had it been under our purview, we would have ensured the death penalty long back,” CM Mamata said while addressing the media at Malda.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Salman Khurshid welcomed the judgement and said that it would convey a message to those who commit such crimes.

“The biggest worry that people express in our country is that many sad incidents take place – people keep waiting for the Court and that leads to apathy. But, in this case, a quick investigation was done and the Court has also pronounced its judgement in very little time – and the judgement is also apt, it should be welcomed. Will it convey a message to those who commit such crimes?” Khurshid said.

However, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict, calling for a deeper investigation.

Speaking to ANI, Majumdar refrained from commenting against the court’s decision.

“We wanted the highest punishment (for the convict Sanjay Roy). Being an elected representative, I can’t say anything against the court verdict. The public of West Bengal does not believe that only one person is involved in the RG Kar rape-murder case. I think there should be more depth in this, as Sanjay is saying that there were also police and other people involved,” the BJP leader said.

The case involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor whose body was found on August 9 in the hospital’s seminar room.