Kolkata doctor rape-murder case: 'Should I give bail' to accused Sanjay Roy, judge asks, miffed at CBI lawyer's delay
Times of India | 7 September 2024
Sanjay Roy KOLKATA: A CBI lawyer's tardiness in reaching court, where the RG Kar rape-murder case was being heard, prompted an exasperated magistrate to ask whether she should grant bail to Sanjay Roy, the prime accused - arguably Bengal's 'most wanted' man today.
At 4.20pm, 10 minutes after court convened and defence lawyer Kavita Sarkar started her arguments, there was no sign of CBI lawyer Dipak Poria. Magistrate Pamela Gupta first remarked that the lawyer's absence was "very unfortunate", even saying, at one point, "What should I do, grant him bail?"
When Poria walked in at 5pm, he informed the court that the agency opposed Roy's bail, but without elaborating on the reasons.
The magistrate then remanded Roy in judicial custody for 14 more days, till Sept 20.
The defence had raised the following points while moving a bail plea for Roy: he had no criminal antecedents; CBI has divulged nothing about what they have found against him; and that the prosecution is reluctant to argue in court. "Roy should be granted bail for these reasons," she argued. The court turned down her plea.
CBI's second remand plea since taking over the probe maintains Roy is the only accused in the rape-murder case.
Have no option but to depend on what cops gave us: CBI
TOI had reported on Aug 23 that CBI’s first remand note, in a Sealdah court seeking judicial custody of Roy, did not mention “gang rape”.
“The DNA report has been sent to AIIMS,” a CBI officer later said. “We have not concluded anything so far. Cremation is over and we don’t have any other option than to depend on what the cops gave us.”
In court, a CBI officer who identified herself as assistant investigating officer entered Gupta’s courtroom at 4.10 pm. The ACJM asked her whether CBI’s public prosecutor was present. The officer claimed that the lawyer was on his way. Sarkar sought the officer’s authorisation. “If the lawyer is not present, he should be granted bail,” she said.
The magistrate was visibly disturbed. “It is 4.20 pm. It is very unfortunate,” she said, asking the CBI officer to call their lawyer. The officer tried calling up her office. After nearly 15 minutes, she reentered courtroom and said the lawyer was on way. When Poria entered, Sarkar objected, claiming he was not the lawyer who had appeared earlier. SPoria said he was the agency’s “full-time lawyer”.