Life Sentence for Man Convicted of Rape and Murder of Doctor in India

A court in India has given a life sentence to Sanjoy Roy, a hospital volunteer found guilty of raping and murdering a junior doctor. This ruling follows a case that ignited protests nationwide, reflecting rampant concerns over women's safety, particularly in the healthcare sector. Despite the severity of his crimes, the judge chose to reject calls for capital punishment. Roy, who denies any wrongdoing, plans to appeal against his conviction in a higher court.

The victim's family expressed their discontent with the ruling, emphasizing their desire for capital punishment. "We will continue our fight, and won't let investigations stop... Come what may, we will fight for justice," the father of the victim declared to reporters. The alleged crime occurred in August last year in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where the 31-year-old doctor was discovered dead following her overnight shift.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which handled the case, reported that Roy entered the hospital inebriated and assaulted the victim while she rested alone in a seminar hall. The autopsy indicated that the doctor had suffered multiple wounds and had fought back against her assailant. Following the incident, physician protests erupted across Kolkata, demanding accountability for the crime and calling for swift action to protect healthcare professionals.

Indian law protects the identities of both sexual assault victims and their families, ensuring their privacy even amidst public scrutiny and outrage.