The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday scheduled a hearing for July 16 to consider an appeal filed by Sanjay Roy, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024. Roy is seeking acquittal, asserting that he is innocent.
The division bench of Justices Debangsu Basak and Prasenjit Biswas directed Roy’s counsel to serve copies of the appeal to all relevant parties before the hearing date.
Roy was convicted and sentenced by a trial court in January 2025 to remain in prison until the end of his natural life for the brutal crime that shocked the nation. The incident occurred on August 9, 2024, when a doctor on duty was sexually assaulted and murdered within the hospital premises. Roy, who was arrested by Kolkata Police the following day, was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the High Court transferred the case to the central agency on August 13.
The High Court has already admitted the CBI’s separate appeal seeking enhancement of Roy’s sentence, arguing that the gravity of the crime warranted the death penalty. However, the court declined to admit a similar appeal filed by the West Bengal government challenging the sentence awarded by the trial court.
The case had triggered widespread outrage and protests from the medical fraternity and the public, prompting calls for stronger security in healthcare institutions and swifter justice in crimes against women.
