Probe half-done, several others remain free: RG Kar victims' parents

Kolkata: A day before a Kolkata court is scheduled to rule on the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case, the victim doctor's parents claimed that the inquiry is only halfway complete because others engaged in the crime are free.

Her parents have stated that they will continue to struggle until justice is served for their daughter, whose body was discovered in the seminar room of the state-run hospital on August 9, last year, prompting widespread outrage and prolonged protests.

Additional district and sessions judge of Sealdah court, where the trial of the case concluded on January 9, is scheduled to pass its judgment on Saturday.

Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, was accused of committing the heinous crime against the postgraduate trainee doctor at the state-run hospital in north Kolkata on August 9 last year. The verdict will come 57 days after the trial commenced before Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das at the Sealdah Court.

The Kolkata Police initially arrested Roy on August 10, a day after the doctor’s body was discovered in the seminar room of the hospital. Subsequently, the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI has sought the death penalty for Roy.

The in-camera trial began on November 12, during which 50 witnesses were examined. The trial concluded on January 9. The victim’s parents, alleging the involvement of other individuals in the crime, have filed an application seeking further investigation and expressed hope that all perpetrators will be arrested and brought to justice.

"Sanjay Roy is guilty, and tomorrow's verdict will be against him. But what about other criminals who are still not caught? I can see them roaming freely. I have seen them loitering in the hospital. So, the investigation is half-done," the victim's mother told PTI.

"The mother also stated that biological evidence proved Roy guilty, but she believed that the administration has been shielding several others involved in the crime. All the evidence was either lost or erased. A large number of people were present when (the then) Police Commissioner Vineet Goel visited the crime scene. It was looking like a fish market. Those seen at the crime scene must be punished," she added.

The deceased doctor's father also claimed that the investigation was incomplete.

"I do not think Sanjay was alone. There are others who were very much involved in the crime, but they are still free. Hopefully, they will be arrested and their guilt will be proven. Until then, justice is not delivered," the father told PTI.

Her parents said they have faith in the judiciary and will be in the court when the verdict is passed on Saturday. If Roy is convicted, the court may sentence him either to death or life imprisonment. Asked whether they want the death penalty for Roy, the mother said, "I want punishment for the guilty.

The gruesome crime led to widespread protests by junior doctors in Kolkata, demanding justice for the victim and better security measures at state-run hospitals. Members of civil society organized midnight rallies, dubbed "Reclaim the Night," to press for justice for the victim, who was referred to by pseudonyms such as "Abhaya" and "Tilottama" to protect her identity, as required by law.

Support for the victim extended beyond the medical fraternity. Fans of rival Kolkata football clubs East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Mohammedan Sporting also marched through the city, united in their demand for justice.

Opposition political parties, including the BJP and CPI(M), staged protests over the incident, but apolitical movements led by civil society were more prominent in demanding accountability.

The Supreme Court, which took suo motu cognizance of the case, formed a National Task Force (NTF) to recommend protocols for ensuring the safety of medical professionals nationwide. The NTF submitted its report to the apex court in November last year.

With PTI inputs