CBI to Seek Death Penalty for Sanjay Roy in RG Kar Murder Case: Legal Battle Intensifies
In the RG Kar murder case, the Sealdah court has turned down the CBI's request for the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, saying the crime doesn't qualify as one of the "rarest of the rare" cases that would warrant such a sentence.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to appeal to the Calcutta High Court seeking the death penalty for Sanjay Roy, who was sentenced to life imprisonment until death by a Sealdah court in the high-profile RG Kar rape and murder case. Officials informed PTI on Wednesday that the agency had received legal advice suggesting that the case could be classified as one of the "rarest of the rare," warranting a capital punishment sentence.
The CBI plans to file the appeal soon, presenting detailed arguments in favor of the death penalty. The move follows the Sealdah court's rejection of the CBI's request for a death sentence. On Monday, Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das ruled that the crime did not meet the "rarest of the rare" criteria.
"The CBI prayed for the death penalty, while the defense sought a jail term instead. However, this crime does not qualify as 'rarest of the rare'," PTI quoted the judge as saying. The judge sentenced Roy to life imprisonment, emphasizing the brutality of the crime, which involved the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in the early hours of August 9. The victim, who had been working the graveyard shift at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was attacked in the seminar hall where she had gone to rest.
In a related development, the West Bengal government has also approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the Sealdah court's verdict and seeking the death penalty for Roy. The CBI, however, has contested the state's right to file an appeal, asserting that as the prosecuting agency, it holds the right to appeal due to the perceived inadequacy of the sentence.
Deputy Solicitor General Rajdeep Majumdar, representing the CBI, opposed the state's submission on Wednesday, arguing that the West Bengal government does not have grounds to appeal the trial court's decision on sentencing. The high court has scheduled a hearing for January 27, where it will consider submissions from the CBI, the victim's family, and the convict before deciding on the state's appeal.
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