Kolkata doctor-rape-murder case: What are possible punishments for guilty Sanjay Roy?

Months after the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College, the Sealdah sessions court found civic volunteer Sanjay Roy guilty. 

The case had led to a nationwide protest and outrage, with several demanding justice to the deceased victim. 

According to a report by India Today, Sanjay Roy was charged under Section 64 (rape), Section 66 (punishment for causing death), and Section 103 (murder). However, the punishment for the guilty will be announced on Monday, January 20. 

What are the possible punishments for Sanjay Roy?

According to Section 64(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), “Whoever commits rape, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than 10 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.”

As per section 66, "Whoever, commits an offence punishable under section 64 (rape) and in the course of such commission inflicts an injury which causes the death of the woman or causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, or with death”. 

"Whoever commits murder shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine", according to Section 103(1) of the BNS. 

What did the judge say while pronouncing the verdict?

"I have examined all the evidence and witnesses, also heard the arguments. After getting through all of these, I have found you guilty. You are guilty. You must be punished," said the judge. 

After hearing the verdict, the parents of the deceased victim broke down before the court.

A 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College was raped and murdered in the early hours of August 9, 2024. Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, was then arrested next day.