RG Kar rape-murder case: Mamata to move HC for capital punishment, expresses 'dissatisfaction' over verdict

She claimed the probe was "forcibly" taken away from the state police, asserting that had it been with them, they would have ensured a death penalty.

Speaking to reporters in Murshidabad district, Banerjee also criticised the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for its probe into the rape-murder of the on-duty medic at the state-run hospital.

“From day 1, all of us had demanded the death sentence, but the court has given a life term until death. We still stick to our demand. I can share my party's opinion; the case was forcibly taken from us. Had it been with the (Kolkata) police, we would have ensured that he got the death sentence," the CM said.

"We don’t know how the probe was conducted. In many similar cases that were probed by the state police, the death penalty was ensured. I am not satisfied...Had it been the death penalty, at least my heart would have been somewhat at peace," she said.

Later, posting on her X handle where she sounded more critical, Banerjee informed that the state government would challenge the Sealdah Court verdict and move the Calcutta High Court.

“In the RG Kar junior doctor's rape and murder case, I am really shocked to see that the judgement of the Court today finds that it is not a Rarest of Rare case! I am convinced that it is indeed a rarest of rare case which demands capital punishment.
How could the judgement come to the conclusion that it is not a rarest of rare case?! We want and insist upon the death penalty in this most sinister and sensitive case,” she said.

“Recently, in the last 3/4 months, we have been able to ensure capital/maximum punishment for convicts in such crimes. Then, why, in this case, has capital punishment not been awarded? I strongly feel that it is a heinous crime that warrants capital punishment,” the CM said, adding, “We will plead for capital punishment of the convict at the High Court now.”

The Sealdah court, presided by Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das, on Monday sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment, after convicting him for the rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.

The ghastly crime had led to unprecedented and prolonged nationwide protests.

Judge Das ruled that the crime did not meet the criteria for the "rarest of the rare" category, which would have warranted the death penalty.

The chief minister emphasised the severity of the case, stating, "If the verdict had been a death sentence, it would have provided some comfort to our hearts."

The crime warranted the "most severe punishment”, Banerjee asserted. "In the three cases we handled — Jaynagar, Farakka, and Guralp — our police successfully secured death sentences (through proper investigation and filing of chargesheet)," she pointed out, referring to similar rape and murder cases investigated by local authorities.

"The (RG Kar) case was forcibly taken away from us, and I don’t know how the CBI fought the case or what arguments they made. It was all managed by the CBI. We want the most severe punishment for such criminals," said Banerjee.

(With PTI inputs)