What to Expect in Today’s Verdict: RG Kar Case Updates

RGKarCase : The rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital led to nationwide outrage and protests.

Five months have passed since the brutal rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar hospital. Although the hospital is now once again bustling with patients, doctors, and activity, the Abhaya justice stage still stands as a stark reminder of the tragedy.After the incident, security measures were heightened with the deployment of CISF and Kolkata Police personnel.

Despite the increased security presence, visitors to RG Kar invariably pause at the “Dharna Mancho” (students’ protest stage). The temporary structure remains adorned with a “We want justice” poster, cutouts of Abhaya, and fresh flowers.

Medical workers confirm that students continue to visit and maintain the area. A large board proclaiming “Injustice of 5 months” stands as a testament to their unwavering pursuit of justice.

Sanjoy Roy, who was a civic volunteer with Kolkata Police, was charged with committing the crime on the doctor at the seminar hall of the state-run hospital on August 9 last year. The judgement will be announced around 2pm and will be declared by Judge Anirban Das of Sealdah Court.

Here are the top things you need to know ahead of the big verdict today:

• The semi-naked body of the trainee doctor was found on the third floor of the seminar hall of the state-run hospital in Kolkata following which Sanjoy Roy was taken into custody. This was when the first protest by doctors broke out across West Bengal.

• The case was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court which filed one chargesheet as per which Sanjay Roy was the “sole prime accused” in the rape and murder case.

• The CBI also arrested the former principal Sandip Ghosh and former officer of the local police station Abhijit Mondal on charges of tampering and altering evidence.

• Both were later granted “default bail” since the CBI did not file a supplementary chargesheet against them within 90 days from the date of their arrest.

• The trial against Sanjay Roy started on November 11 and was conducted in-camera and within the closed courtroom.

• During the trial, statements of a total of 50 witnesses were recorded, including the parents of the victim, investigating officials of both CBI and Kolkata Police, forensic experts and doctors and colleagues of the victim.

• The Mamata Banerjee government faced a lot of criticism over the incident and protests by women’s rights groups continued to rage across West Bengal.

• The protests forced the government to transfer the Kolkata Police Commissioner and other senior officials of the West Bengal Health department.