Kolkata Court Set to Deliver Verdict in RG Kar Rape-Murder Case After Five Months

Kolkata Court to Deliver Verdict Today in the High-Profile RG Kar Medical College Rape-Murder Case, Sparking Nationwide Attention

Five months of high public scrutiny and countrywide protests end today as a sessions court in Kolkata’s Sealdah is to deliver the much-awaited verdict in the rape and murder case of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, which took place on August 9 last year, sent shock waves across the nation and continued with prolonged student protests, demonstrations by civil society groups, and health professionals for justice.

He is a civic volunteer of Kolkata Police, and he has been accused of raping and murdering the doctor in the seminar hall of the state-run hospital. Judgment will be pronounced by Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das on this case merely 57 days after the trial commenced.

A Case That Shook the Nation

The shocking incident came to the fore when the semi-nude body of a young doctor was found on the third floor of the seminar hall of the hospital on August 9, 2024. The next day, Sanjoy Roy was detained by Kolkata Police. The doctors in West Bengal immediately launched protest and demanded swift justice.

Under mounting pressure, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee put seven days on the police and said that unless anything positive happens in this period of time, she will transfer the probe to CBI. On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the handing over of the case to CBI referring the crime as “extremely gruesome” where, no tangible headway has been made in the investigation till now.

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Timeline of Events

• The coming months saw quite a lot happen in the case:
  August 14: The CBI set up a 25-member investigation team to look into the crime and protest marches with the banner “Reclaim the Night” took place all over the state.
  
• August 15: A vengeful mob rampaged the RG Kar Hospital emergency wing and Indian Medical Association asked for an all-India strike.
  
• August 20: The Supreme Court constituted a task force to formulate a national policy for the safety of medical professionals and directed the West Bengal government to submit a status report.

The CBI investigation unearthed more layers, such as alleged financial misappropriation at RG Kar Hospital during the tenure of former principal Sandip Ghosh. Ghosh and many others were questioned, and polygraph tests were conducted to gather evidence.

Judicial Process

The legal process was marred by delay and obstacles. On November 12, an in-camera trial began, but procedural delays allowed some of the accused, including Sandip Ghosh, to get bail. However, the CBI submitted a 125-page chargesheet on November 29, listing the financial frauds and case specifics.
The protesting did not even halt for the trial. Members of West Bengal Junior Doctors Front organized hunger strikes in the next month of October demanding justice and stricter safety measures. The doctors called off their 17-day agitation only after having a meeting with the face, Mamata Banerjee.

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Justice is expected

The verdict of the RG Kar rape-murder case has marked the turning of the tide for the nation. It thus indicates the consistent fight for justice of gender-based crimes and the need for workplace safety on the part of such professionals in healthcare. Along with that, it outlines the very great requirement for achieving transparency, proper efficacy, and accountability in the law enforcement as well as judicial processes also.

The verdict is expected to come later today. It will seal the end of a long-fought battle for justice, not only for the victim but for thousands who made their voices count against this dreadful crime. All of the nation holds its breath in the hopes that the judgment will reinforce its faith in the judicial system.

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