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Police Volunteer Convicted in Doctor’s Rape and Murder in Kolkata
A police volunteer was convicted on Saturday for the rape and murder of a junior doctor at the state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The trial, expedited due to public outrage over women’s safety, concluded with the judge ruling that the circumstantial evidence proved the defendant’s guilt.
The victim’s body was discovered on August 9 in a classroom within the hospital premises, sparking widespread protests from doctors demanding justice and improved security at public hospitals. For weeks, medical staff refrained from work in solidarity with the victim.
Sanjay Roy, the accused, maintained his innocence, asserting in court, “I have not done this,” and claimed he was being framed. His legal representatives were unavailable for comment following the verdict, but they had previously argued discrepancies in the investigation and forensic reports.
Judge Anirban Das delivered the ruling, stating, “Your guilt is proved. You are being convicted.” The sentencing, which could range from life imprisonment to the death penalty, will be announced on Monday.
The victim’s family expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, asserting that the crime could not have been committed by a single individual. “Our daughter could not have met such a horrific end by a single man,” her father said. “We will remain in pain and agony until all the culprits are punished.”
India’s federal police, who handled the case, termed the crime “rarest of rare” during the trial and sought the death penalty for Roy.
The high-profile case saw protests outside the courtroom, where junior doctors and medical staff chanted slogans demanding justice. “Street protests will continue until justice is done,” said Dr. Aniket Mahato, a spokesperson for the junior doctors.
More than 200 armed police officers were stationed at the court to maintain order as Roy arrived under heavy security.
The trial, which began on November 11, was fast-tracked to address the public outcry. Investigators examined 51 out of 128 witnesses, according to court sources.
Compounding the controversy, local police and hospital officials were charged with tampering with evidence and destroying the crime scene. The officer in charge of the local police station is currently out on bail, while the hospital’s former head remains in custody for a separate case involving financial irregularities.
The verdict has brought some closure to the victim’s supporters, but calls for broader accountability and systemic reform continue to dominate the conversation.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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