January 20, 2025: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed strong dissatisfaction with the life imprisonment sentence handed down to Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape and murder case. The Sealdah court had sentenced Roy to life imprisonment until death for the brutal assault and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024.

Speaking to reporters in Murshidabad, Banerjee voiced her disapproval of the sentence, stating, “I am not satisfied… All of us demanded the death sentence, but the court gave life imprisonment.”

Banerjee also questioned the role of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in handling the case, suggesting that the investigation could have yielded a more severe punishment had it remained under the jurisdiction of the Kolkata Police.

"The case was forcibly taken from us. Had it been with the (Kolkata) police, we would have ensured a death sentence," Banerjee asserted, hinting at her lack of confidence in the CBI's handling of the case.

The Chief Minister further noted that the state police have successfully ensured the death penalty in similar cases in the past, reinforcing her frustration with the outcome.

The Sealdah court, presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das, convicted Sanjay Roy on Saturday. However, the court ruled that the crime did not meet the "rarest of the rare" threshold necessary for a death sentence, opting instead for life imprisonment.

The crime, which occurred within the premises of the state-run medical college, triggered widespread outrage and nationwide protests last year, with demands for swift justice.

Banerjee’s remarks highlight an ongoing debate about the judicial process and investigation protocols in high-profile cases. Her critique of the CBI and the legal outcome reflects a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction among sections of the public and political leadership.