Joynagar Case: 19-Year-Old Gets Death Penalty For Rape-Murder Of Class 4 Girl, Bengal CM Mamata Lauds Swift Justice

The incident sparked violent protests in the area, about 50 km from Kolkata, coinciding with outrage over the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College.

A 19-year-old man was sentenced to death for raping and killing a 10-year-old girl within about two months by a special court in the 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The body of a Class 4 student was found in a pond in Joynagar's Kultali area on October 5, after she went missing while returning home from tuition.

In a swift trial, the POCSO court of Additional District Judge Subrata Chattopadhyay in Baruipur sentenced the accused to death, calling the incident a "rarest of rare" case. The convict was charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 65 (rape), 66 (causing death or vegetative state), and 103 (murder), along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

According to a report by PTI, police filed a charge sheet on October 30, and the trial, which started on November 5, concluded within 21 days. The incident sparked violent protests in the area, about 50 km from Kolkata, coinciding with outrage over the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College. Protesters torched vehicles, ransacked a police outpost, and blocked roads. To ensure a thorough probe, the state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Special Public Prosecutor Bibhas Chatterjee, who fought the case, remarked that the swift investigation and trial in the case could serve as a significant precedent in the history of the country's criminal jurisprudence.

"In a sharply polarised atmosphere over the RG Kar rape and murder case where cries for justice remain a talking point, the Kultali verdict would prove that not everything is wrong in Bengal's police and justice system. Kultali reserves the potential to reverse the RG Kar narrative," he said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Hails Verdict

After the verdict was delivered, the father of the victim said, "I am thankful to the court. The culprit must be punished for his crime." 

Hailing the verdict, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it unprecedented in the state's history. "Conviction and capital punishment in such a case in just over two months is unprecedented in the history of the state. I congratulate the state police and all those involved in the prosecution process for this outstanding achievement. The government has zero tolerance towards offences against women and will continue to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied," she posted on X.

The CM had met the victim's parents at the state secretariat and assured them of all possible assistance in getting justice. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee stated, "The next big step is the nationwide implementation of the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill because strong legislation is the only way to create a deterrent against such atrocities." 

Reacting to the heinous crime, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh told ANI, "The death sentence was awarded within 61 days. West Bengal Police investigated the case, the trial took place and today the death sentence was awarded. This is how things should be done and this is how it happens in Bengal. If this case of RG Kar was with Kolkata Police, then the death sentence would have been awarded long ago, because Kolkata Police caught the accused within 24 hours... The campaign to defame the police was wrong."

"If Hindu people are being attacked there, what is the central government doing? What is the BJP government doing? Why are they silent? Mamata Banerjee has clearly said that a team should be sent, talks should be held. So, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is doing drama on the soil of Bengal, but the responsibility is of their party, Delhi government," he further added.