"Rudraksh mala would have broken...": RG Kar Verdict is Out and Sanjay Roy is Guilty; Here’s What Happened Inside the Courtroom

The trial court in Kolkata on Saturday found sole accused guilty of rape and murder in the RG Kar case. The 31 year old PGT doctor was brutally raped and murdered by Sanjay Roy on August 9, he was arrested by the Kolkata Police on August 10. Justice Anirban Das has convicted Roy under sections 64, 66, and 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023. 

Immediately after the judgment was communicated to him, Sanjay Roy reacted vehemently, insisting he was falsely implicated and asserting that the 'rudraksh mala' he wears around his neck would have broken if he had committed such a heinous crime.

"I wear a threaded rudraksh mala, sir. I have not committed this crime. Had I done so, the rudraksh mala would have broken immediately and scattered around the room," said a visibly agitated Sanjay. 

What happened inside the courtroom: 

Sanjay Roy, dressed in a grey and orange hoodie, was brought before the judge and made to stand in the witness box as the judge pronounced him guilty of raping and murdering the RG Kar doctor. 

"On the basis of evidences I have found you guilty of the crime. You will be punished. I will hear you on Monday and the quantum of punishment will be announced on that day," said judge Anirban Das. 

The judge then proceeded to explain the punishments associated with the sections under which Roy had been convicted and outlined the potential penalties he could face. "Under section 64 are liable for minimum 10 years and maximum life imprisonment. Under section 66 you are liable for life imprisonment and May get awarded death sentence," said the judge while communicating it to Sanjay Roy.

"They are framing me, sir. I have been falsely implicated. I did not commit this crime. The real perpetrators are being let go," Sanjay said, almost interjecting the judge while the verdict was being given out. 

He then explained that he wears a 'rudraksh mala' around his neck, asserting that it would have broken if he had committed such a heinous crime. "I wear a threaded rudraksh mala, sir. I have not committed this crime. Had I done so, the mala would have broken immediately and scattered around the room," Sanjay claimed, bringing the 'rudraksh mala' to his defense. 

The court then informed the accused that he would be given an opportunity to speak on Monday, when the quantum of his punishment would be announced. "The accused will be heard on Monday. He will now be sent to judicial custody. His punishment will be announced at 12:30," the judge stated. 

Sanjay then caused a scene inside the courtroom, claiming he had been denied the chance to speak. He alleged that IPS officers had told him he would be heard later, but he never got the opportunity. At this point, Sanjay's lawyers intervened, urging him to calm down and assuring him that he would be heard on Monday.

The verdict in this case was delivered nearly two months after the in-camera trial began in Sealdah Court on November 11. The Kolkata Police arrested Roy within 10 hours of the crime, and he was later handed over to the CBI after the Calcutta High Court transferred the case to the central agency on August 13. The crime sparked widespread protests across the country, with people demanding justice for the slain doctor.