Here’s how victim of RG Kar Medical College finally got justice

Nearly five months after a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was brutally raped and murdered, a local court on Saturday (Jan 18) convicted former civic volunteer and the prime accused Sanjay Roy. 

Sanjay Roy was found guilty under Sections 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which governs rape, and Sections 66 and 103 (1) of the Act, which deal with punishments for death and murder. The court added the quantum of punishment will be announced on Monday (Jan 20).

Also read: RG Kar case verdict: Main accused Sanjoy Roy found guilty of raping, murdering doctor

The rape case, which happened in August 2024, sparked massive outrage across the country, with the High Court of West Bengal state transferring the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation, which filed its chargesheet before the sessions court. 

Timeline of events that happened since August 9

August 9: The 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was raped and murdered. Her semi-naked body was found on the third floor of the seminar hall.

August 10: The Kolkata Police arrested the accused Sanjay Roy, who was a former civic volunteer with the police. He was caught on CCTV camera, entering the hall, and a Bluetooth device belonging to him was also found near the victim’s body. Roy was later charged with committing the crime. 

Following this, massive protests took place across the country. 

Also read: ‘Snatch justice if necessary’: Father of RG Kar victim says ‘will not beg’, ahead of final verdict

August 12: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met the victim’s parents and promised a detailed CBI inquiry if police failed to solve the case in seven days. 
Later that day, RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh stepped down amid the protests. 

August 13: The victim’s parents and several public interest litigations (PILs) filed a petition before the Calcutta High Court, demanding a CBI probe. 
The high court later transferred the case to the CBI. 

August 14: The Kolkata Police handed prime accused Sanjay Roy to the CBI. 

August 15: “Reclaim the Night” protests took place, organised by women and activists, demanding justice and protection for women. 

Also read: ‘A big conspiracy?’ Report finds no evidence of ‘struggle, resistance’ at Kolkata RG Kar rape scene

It turned violent at the RG Kar College and a mob damaged the hospital and crime scene. 

August 17: CBI interrogated former RG Kar Medical College principal Sandip Ghosh.

Also, healthcare services were hit across the nation as doctors responded to the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) call for a 24-hour withdrawal of medical services. 

August 18: India’s apex court took suo moto cognisance of the case and posted the hearing for August 20. 

August 20: A three-judge bench led by former Chief  Justice DY Chandrachud slammed Mamata Banerjee-led government, Kolkata police, and the hospital administration over the delay in filing the FIR. 

Also read: Parents of Kolkata rape-murder victim ‘heartbroken’ after RG Kar hospital ex-principal granted bail 

August 24: Sanjay Roy, along with six others was administered a lie detector test.

September 2: A protest march, led by junior doctors was organised, to Lalbazar, before being stopped by police and guardrails. 

September 9: The SC asked the protesting doctors to continue work, giving them a deadline of 5 pm on September 10. 

September 14: Mamata Banerjee visited the protesters and addressed them. 

September 16: The West Bengal CM met with the protesting junior doctors at her residence. After the interaction, police commissioner Vineet Goyal and two health department officials were removed from their posts. 

September 20: The protesting junior doctors called off their cease-work agitation.

October 5: After two phases of protests, which lasted 50 days, doctors began a hunger strike. 

October 7: The CBI filed a chargesheet against accused Sanjay Roy in the case and said he allegedly committed the crime. 

October 24: Protesting doctors called off the strike after holding a meeting with Mamata Banerjee. 

December 13: Former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh and former Tala police station OC Mondal were granted bail after the CBI failed to submit its chargesheet against the duo in the rape-murder case. 

December 20: Doctors began a new protest in Kolkata and called for the CBI to file a chargesheet against Ghosh and Mandal. 

January 9: The hearings concluded in Sealdah court with CBI seeking the death penalty for the accused. 

January 18: The local court convicted Sanjay Roy.

(With inputs from agencies)