Sanjay Roy — the civic volunteer convicted for the brutal rape and murder of a medical student at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital — was seen participating in a tree plantation drive inside the Presidency Correctional Facility on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5. Roy, who is serving a life sentence, joined fellow inmates in planting saplings, delivering the message: “One Tree, One Life.”
The programme, organised by the correctional authorities, aimed to promote environmental awareness and rehabilitation among inmates. Sources within the facility confirmed Roy’s active participation, noting that he took part alongside hundreds of prisoners during the morning event.
Sanjay’s presence in the drive drew attention due to the severity and notoriety of his crime. On August 9, 2024, the body of a young medical student was discovered in a seminar room within the emergency department of RG Kar Medical College. The horrific revelation sparked public outrage and led to allegations of a police cover-up.
After a thorough investigation and trial, Sanjay was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sealdah Court in January. He is currently lodged at the Presidency Correctional Facility.
A senior officer at the Presidency Correctional Facility emphasised the institution's focus on reform rather than punishment. “Inside these walls, we no longer identify inmates by their crimes. Everyone here is simply a resident — a human being deserving of a second chance. Our aim is rehabilitation. That is why such programs are organized,” the officer said.
During the drive, over 3,500 inmates reportedly took part, each planting a sapling. The event was followed by a group discussion on environmental responsibility and ways to maintain cleanliness and greenery within the facility.
While Sanjay’s participation in the event might raise eyebrows given the gravity of his crime, prison authorities maintained that no distinction is made among inmates when it comes to such rehabilitation initiatives.
The sight of Sanjay — a man whose crime sparked public fury and led to a CBI probe — planting a tree under the banner of environmental consciousness presents a stark contrast to his past. Whether such actions indicate genuine remorse or are merely part of routine prison activities, only time will tell.
Nonetheless, the incident underscores a larger debate on reform versus retribution and whether those convicted of heinous crimes should be allowed to participate in symbolic acts of restoration. For now, within the walls of the Presidency Correctional Facility, Sanjay is no longer a civic volunteer or a convict— he is simply one among thousands, holding a sapling in one hand, and perhaps, seeking a different identity in the other.
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