Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court will hear the West Bengal government's plea for the death penalty in the R.G. Kar case involving the rape and murder of a female doctor. The special court had sentenced the convict to life imprisonment, which the government is now challenging.Key Takeaways
- The Calcutta High Court is reviewing a plea from the West Bengal government.
- The state seeks a death penalty for the convict, Snajy Rouy.
- The case involves the rape and murder of a woman doctor.
- Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supports the death penalty appeal.
- The government argues for societal safety against repeat offenders.
Kolkata, Jan 22 (NationPress) A division bench of the Calcutta High Court is set to convene on Wednesday to examine the petition submitted by the West Bengal government, which is contesting the ruling of a special court in Kolkata regarding the rape and murder of a female doctor from the state-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital.
The special court had deemed Snajy Rouy guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
In a plea filed on Tuesday by the state Advocate General Kishor Datta, representing the West Bengal government before the division bench comprising Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Shabbar Rashidi, the government has requested a death penalty for the convict.
The division bench has accepted the submission, and as per the schedule of the Calcutta High Court for Wednesday, this matter will be addressed.
Following the special court’s sentencing, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Monday evening that the state government would appeal to the Calcutta High Court to contest the ruling.
She further emphasized that the state government will pursue a death penalty for the convict. Even on Tuesday afternoon, while speaking at a state government meeting in Malda district, shortly after the Advocate General submitted the petition, the Chief Minister elaborated on the rationale behind the government's demand for the death penalty.
She stated that society cannot adopt a “humanitarian” stance toward an “inhuman” person.
“What does ‘life imprisonment’ signify? Oftentimes, lifers are released on parole. If a convict remains alive, there exists a possibility that he may reoffend. If someone chooses to act ‘inhumanely’, how can society respond with ‘humanitarianism’? This is why we have requested the death sentence for the convict in the R.G. Kar case. It is indeed a crime of the rarest kind,” the Chief Minister articulated on Tuesday afternoon.
