162 Days After RG Kar Rape-Murder: Judgment Expected Today

Kolkata: The verdict in the RG Kar Medical College rape-murder case is expected today, 162 days after the brutal killing of an on-duty PGT intern on August 9. The case, which has been under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) following a Calcutta High Court order, has been closely watched.

Sessions court judge Anirban Das is set to deliver the judgment based on the CBI's first chargesheet against the prime accused, Sanjay Roy. The agency, which took over the case from Kolkata Police on August 13, expressed confidence in securing Roy’s conviction.

CBI's Investigation and Evidence

The CBI recorded statements from over 120 witnesses and relied heavily on forensic and biological evidence during the 66-day in-camera trial. Key pieces of evidence presented by the CBI included:

• DNA and Biological Samples: Saliva and DNA samples found on the victim’s body matched those of Sanjay Roy.
• Struggle Evidence: Five blunt force injuries on Roy’s body suggested a struggle. A clump of hair at the crime scene also matched Roy’s DNA.
• CCTV and Devices: CCTV footage showed Roy’s exit without his Bluetooth device, which was later found at the crime scene and paired with his phone.
• Medical Board Report: A report from a multi-institutional medical board confirmed the victim died from manual strangulation and smothering.

The CBI described the crime as "rarest of the rare," emphasizing the brutality of the attack. The victim suffered severe injuries, including broken spectacles, bleeding from her eyes, mouth, and private parts, and marks on her neck and lips.

Defense's Argument

Sanjay Roy, who was arrested a day after the crime, pleaded not guilty, claiming he was framed. His lawyer, Sourav Bandyopadhyay, questioned the feasibility of the crime given the location and time constraints. He argued:

• The seminar hall, where the victim's body was discovered, was accessible only through a nursing station at the TB ward, manned 24/7.
• It would be nearly impossible to commit such a crime unnoticed within the 28-minute timeframe indicated by CCTV footage.

The defense also cited a crime scene examination report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in New Delhi to bolster its argument.

The Awaited Judgment

The case has garnered significant public attention, with the CBI terming it a heinous crime and relying on extensive forensic evidence to build its case. The judgment will be a pivotal moment in determining whether the evidence presented can secure a conviction.