Sixteen months after their 32-year-old daughter was raped and murdered while on duty at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024, her parents say their lives now revolve around courtrooms, adjournments and an unending wait for justice. Over this period, they have changed five lawyers, convinced that none were able to adequately pursue their case.
“For us, every morning is a new day, a new fight for our daughter,” the mother told The Indian Express. “Earlier, my routine was about waking up, cooking for my daughter, getting her ready as she rushed to work. Now, we hardly cook. Every morning we wake up and rush to the Calcutta High Court, hoping the case will be heard that day.”
In January this year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) moved the Calcutta High Court seeking the maximum punishment — the death penalty — for convict Sanjoy Roy. In July, Roy filed an appeal seeking acquittal. The matter is listed before a Division Bench headed by Justice Debangshu Basak, but according to the parents, it has repeatedly failed to come up for hearing.
“In the last month, we have gone to court for at least 20 days because the matter is listed,” the mother said. “From morning till evening, we sit there thinking today the case will be heard, but we return empty-handed, only with the hope that maybe tomorrow it will be taken up.”
The family has changed five lawyers during the course of the legal battle. The father said the decision stemmed from a growing sense that their voices were not being adequately represented.
“Somehow, I felt they would not be able to deliver, so I changed counsels,” he said. “Advocates are our representatives in court; they have to put forth what we want to say. I did not see that happening from the beginning. But I still have faith in the court, however long we have to wait.”
“At this age, we are running to court practically every day,” he added. “After this incident, we have learnt patience and resilience. We had to bounce back for our daughter’s sake. If we became weak, who would fight for her?”
Beyond the courtroom, the parents say the struggle has seeped into their daily lives. Many who once stood by them have gradually drifted away.
“Abhaya Mancha was formed for justice for my child, but where are they now?” the mother said. “People had donated money for this fight, but now they say there is no fund. I don’t worry about all this.”
According to the parents, they are funding the legal battle and household expenses through their limited savings and income from a small garments business. “I have a small business. I can’t always be there, but somehow we manage,” the father said.
“There were many who joined us initially, but those with vested or selfish interests have moved away,” he added. “They know we will not let anyone take advantage of our child’s death. Even if we have to stand alone, we will. We will continue to fight till the end.”
The mother said she remains determined to keep her daughter’s memory alive. “No one will ever forget my daughter or the brutal crime against her. She is in everyone’s heart and mind. We will not let anyone forget this. Just in January, City Garden invited us. So people do remember us, and through us, more people will continue to know what happened.”
On August 9, 2024, the body of a 32-year-old postgraduate resident doctor was found in a seminar room at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital. Civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy was arrested the next day and was convicted by a Sealdah court in January this year.