Introduction

In a significant judgment related to the tragic RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case, the Additional Sessions Judge at Sealdah sentenced the accused, Sanjoy Roy, to rigorous imprisonment for life and imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000. The case, which had deeply affected the victim's family and the broader community, was one of extreme brutality and shock.

In delivering the verdict, the court acknowledged the immense grief and trauma suffered by the victim's parents and the emotional weight of the crime. However, the judge also carefully considered the issue of capital punishment, emphasizing that the death penalty should be reserved for the "rarest of the rare" cases. This principle, outlined in the landmark Bachan Singh case, requires the court to be highly selective and stringent in determining whether a death sentence is warranted.

After examining the facts and circumstances surrounding the crime, the court determined that the case did not fulfill the criteria set forth by the Supreme Court for the imposition of the death penalty. While the nature of the crime was horrific, the court found that it did not reach the extreme threshold required for such a severe punishment.

The court further stressed the importance of upholding justice while ensuring that the principles of human dignity were respected. In this context, the sentence of life imprisonment was deemed more appropriate, as it reflected the gravity of the crime while remaining consistent with the legal principles of proportionality and fairness. The court’s ruling reinforced the idea that justice should not only be about retribution but also about adhering to established legal norms and safeguarding human rights.