On Saturday afternoon, courtroom number 210 at Sealdah Court in Kolkata witnessed three emotional breakdowns.
The first two were the grieving parents of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, who was brutally raped and murdered on the night of August 8-9. The third was Sanjay Roy, the sole accused in the case, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, arrested a day after the crime by the very police force he served.
Following the verdict, Anirban Das, the presiding judge, asked the convict if he had any final statements. Clad in an orange hoodie over a grey jacket, Roy pointed to a rudraksha bead necklace he wore, pleading his innocence. “I am innocent. I have this sacred band around my neck. How could I commit such a crime? If I had, the band would have broken. I did what senior police officers instructed me,” Roy claimed from the dock.
Since his transfer from cell number six at Presidency Correctional Home, where he has been incarcerated since August 10, Roy consistently maintained his innocence. When court proceedings resumed after 2 PM, Roy continued his protests, even as the courtroom, packed with lawyers, medics, media personnel, and spectators, watched intently.
The victim’s parents, sitting among the crowd, broke down as Roy’s declarations of innocence echoed through the room. After Judge Das banged his gavel to adjourn proceedings, the victim’s father addressed him, saying, “We had reposed our faith in you. You have given us some solace.”
The judge assured both parties—Roy and the victim’s parents—that they would be heard before the sentencing, scheduled for Monday.
At around 3 PM, Roy was escorted back to the Presidency Correctional Home under tight security. As he was being taken away, he raised his voice, insisting on being heard, even after being convicted of what is widely regarded as one of Kolkata’s most shocking crimes in recent memory. The case has triggered unprecedented protests against the Mamata Banerjee government.
Police eventually had to drag Roy from the courtroom to the lock-up, as he resisted leaving without making his case heard further. He is set to reappear in court on Monday for the announcement of his punishment.