Court to pronounce quantum of sentence of convict in RG Kar doctor's rape-murder in afternoon
Kolkata (PTI): A court in Kolkata will on Monday afternoon pronounce the quantum of punishment of Sanjay Roy, who has been convicted of raping and murdering an on-duty doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital here.
The charges under which Roy has been convicted entail a minimum sentence of life imprisonment, while the maximum can be capital punishment.
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das in Sealdah had on Saturday declared Roy guilty of rape and murder of the postgraduate trainee at the hospital on August 9 last year.
The gruesome crime had led to nationwide outrage and prolonged protests.
Roy, a former civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was arrested on August 10, a day after the 31-year-old medic's body was found in the seminar room of the hospital.
Found guilty of sexually assaulting the doctor and throttling her to death, Roy was convicted by the judge under Sections 64, 66 and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Section 64 (rape) of the BNS entails a punishment of not less than 10 years and can go up to life term. Section 66 (punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim) provides for punishment of not less than 20 years that may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, or with death.
Section 103(1) (murder) of BNS provides for the death penalty or imprisonment for life to a person convicted of the crime.
The judge said the over 160-page judgement, which will be completed after the pronouncement of the sentence, will also categorically answer some questions raised by the complainant, the father of the victim.
Judge Das said that he has, in the judgement, criticised some activities of the police as well as the hospital authority.
The investigation into the case was transferred from the Kolkata Police to the CBI by the Calcutta High Court.
The judge said that Roy's statement will be heard at 12:30 pm, and the sentence will be pronounced thereafter.
At the time of delivery of the verdict on Saturday, Roy claimed in court that he had been framed.
The parents of the deceased doctor have expressed gratitude to the court for delivering justice.
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Mahayuti's handling of guardian ministers' appointment shows internal discord in alliance: Raut
Mumbai (PTI): Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that the Mahayuti government's handling of the appointment of guardian minister was a sign of internal discord in the alliance.
The state government on Saturday announced guardian ministers for 36 districts of the state, but a day later, issued an order to stay the appointments for Nashik and Raigad.
NCP's Aditi Tatkare was appointed as the guardian minister for Raigad, while BJP leader Girish Mahajan was given the responsibility of Nashik.
Talking to reporters, Raut said, "The government is failing to manage its internal conflicts. (Deputy Chief Minister) Eknath Shinde's anger over the allocation of guardian ministers is clear, and his authority is being questioned."
The Rajya Sabha MP was reacting to reports of Eknath Shinde's dissatisfaction over the appointments for Raigad and Nashik.
He also hinted that state Industries Minister and Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant might be groomed as a possible replacement for Shinde.
According to sources, Shinde has suddenly left for Daregaon, officially citing personal reasons for his four-day visit. However, political insiders speculate that his departure was linked to his dissatisfaction over the portfolios.
Raut claimed the growing discord could lead to a shift in the power dynamics.
"It seems Uday Samant is being groomed as a possible replacement for Shinde. If Shinde cannot control his ministers, how can he lead?" he questioned.
Amid reports of discontent, Ministers Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Girish Mahajan have left for Daregaon to meet Shinde and address his concerns. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is currently in Davos for the World Economic Forum.
