NEW DELHI: Sealdah court is set to pronounce the quantum of punishment in the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case on Monday. Sanjay Roy, the lone accused in the rape-murder, was convicted on Saturday.
Dr. Tapas Pramanik, a doctor at RG Kar Hospital, expressed his thoughts on the upcoming judgment, stating, “The CBI’s investigation is deeply flawed."
Speaking to the media, Pramanik criticized the CBI’s investigation, calling it inadequate and pointing out the involvement of others in the case. “As per the CBI investigation, Sanjay Roy is the main culprit. But reports leaked to the media reveal that CCTV footage captured the movements of 68 people, yet only Roy could be identified. There were multiple DNA samples, and it’s impossible the crime scene was the seminar room—no biological evidence or signs of struggle were found. The CBI’s probe is totally worthless. Many people were involved, but since they were influential, they weren’t caught.”
According to the CBI’s investigation, Roy is the primary accused.
However, CCTV footage captured the movements of 68 individuals, yet only Roy could be identified. The investigation also found multiple DNA samples, raising doubts about the actual crime scene.
Dr. Pramanik’sshows concerns over the CBI’s slow and inadequate probe, which has failed to hold others accountable.
The trial, based on the CBI’s charge sheet, is nearing its conclusion. However, the case is set to move to the Supreme Court on January 22, where the apex court will address a petition filed by the victim’s parents.
The parents are challenging the CBI’s charge sheet, which targets only Roy, and are seeking a fresh, Calcutta high court-monitored investigation.
The hearing in the Supreme Court could shape the course of justice further.
The high court is set to resume proceedings on February 5.
Originally taken up suo-motu by the Supreme Court, the case will be heard on March 17.
After filing their petition in Calcutta high court, the victim’s parents have consistently demanded a broader investigation into the involvement of others.
The hearing on January 16 revealed that senior advocate Karuna Nundy may represent the family in the Supreme Court.
The trial raised repeated concerns from the victim’s parents about others involved in the crime. “Is it just Sanjay? Where are the others responsible?” they have asked persistently. The victim’s mother emphasized, “The judge delivered the verdict they deemed right. But we will continue our fight until we uncover who else is involved in this incident.” She added, “While we strongly want the convicted to be sentenced to death, we will only feel truly satisfied when, along with Sanjay, all the other culprits are also sentenced to death.”
The Central Forensic Science Laboratory report found the DNA of at least five individuals on the victim’s body, with CCTV footage capturing the movements of 68 people.
The victim’s family has demanded that the CBI immediately file a supplementary charge sheet to identify the other culprits.
The CBI investigation, led by Seema Pahuja, has been criticized for its slow pace, raising fears among the victim’s family that only Roy would be held accountable.
Public Prosecutor Anurag Modi played a key role in presenting the case, and his arguments have been pivotal throughout. Modi’s work in cases like Unnao and Hathras has been crucial. His approach in the RG Kar Medical College trial aimed to prove Roy’s involvement beyond doubt.
“We know the punishment will be either death or life imprisonment. What we look forward to from the court on Monday is something on the supplementary charge sheet, as we believe Roy alone could not have committed the crime,” said Aniket Mahata, a member of the West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front.
Some members of the WBJDF, including Asfakulla Naiya, hope that further investigation will emerge during the sentencing of Roy. “We hope a scope for further investigation emerges during the sentencing of Roy,” Naiya added.