Not Satisfied': CM Seeks Death Sentence, Oppn Hits Out at TMC

Strongly feel it is a heinous crime... We will plead for capital punishment of the convict at the High Court now MAMATA BANERJEE, West Bengal chief minister

- HT Correspondent

KOLKATA: Leaders across party lines on Monday expressed discontent with the judgment of a Kolkata court pronouncing life imprisonment till death for prime accused Sanjay Roy in the rape and murder of a 31-year-old resident doctor at the West Bengal government-run RG Kar medical college and hospital, demanding the capital punishment for the convict.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed "dissatisfaction" over the verdict of a Sealdah court in Kolkata, alleging the investigation was "forcibly" taken away from the state police.

"I am surprised. I cannot comment on the court but I am not satisfied. The state government prayed for death sentence from the very beginning. All of us had demanded death sentence. We will stick to our demand," Banerjee said. "Had it been death penalty, at least my heart would have been somewhat at peace."

Her remarks came minutes after additional district and sessions judge Anirban Das pronounced the sentencing around 2.50 pm, ruling that the crime did not meet the criteria for the "rarest of the rare" category, which would have warranted the death penalty.