In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across the nation, Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer with the Kolkata Police, has been arrested for the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Roy, who was not an official employee of the hospital, had nevertheless been a frequent presence on the campus, raising serious concerns about security at the medical institution.
Roy, a civic volunteer, was recruited under a contractual arrangement with the Kolkata Police. These volunteers, who are paid around Rs 12,000 a month, are typically tasked with assisting police officers in various duties, including traffic management and disaster response. However, they do not receive the same benefits as regular police personnel.
According to reports, Sanjoy Roy joined the disaster management group of Kolkata Police in 2019 and later transitioned to the police welfare cell. Eventually, he was posted at the police outpost at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, where he gained access to various departments within the hospital.
Sources allege that Sanjoy Roy was involved in a racket at the state-run hospital, where he would charge patients’ relatives for securing admissions or finding beds in nearby nursing homes if the hospital was full.
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Despite not being a full-fledged police officer, Roy exploited his connections to gain access to the police barracks occasionally. He often wore a t-shirt emblazoned with “KP” (Kolkata Police) and even had a KP tag on his motorcycle. Many other civic volunteers reportedly believed he was a regular police officer due to his behaviour and appearance.
Local media reports reveal that Sanjoy Roy confessed to the crime shortly after being questioned by the police. Displaying a shocking lack of remorse, he reportedly stated, “Hang me if you want.” Authorities also discovered that his mobile phone contained a significant amount of pornographic material.
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Roy’s arrest was made after CCTV footage from the hospital premises captured him entering the emergency building around 4 am on Friday. The doctor’s lifeless body was discovered in the same building hours later. A crucial piece of evidence was a Bluetooth headset found next to the victim’s body, which had been seen around Roy’s neck in the CCTV footage when he entered the building but was missing when he left. The headset was later found to pair with Roy’s phone.
After committing the heinous crime, Sanjoy Roy reportedly returned home and attempted to destroy evidence by washing his clothes. However, the police discovered bloodstains on his shoes, leading to his arrest. He has been remanded in police custody until August 23.
The brutal rape and murder of the doctor, who was on duty at the time, have sparked widespread protests across the country. In response to the growing agitation, the principal of RG Kar Medical College has resigned. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety of healthcare professionals, particularly concerning the ease with which unauthorized individuals can access hospital premises, even during odd hours.
