Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Suspends 3 IPS Officers in RG Kar Case

The West Bengal government has taken stringent action in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case, suspending three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers for alleged lapses and mishandling of the initial investigation. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, signaling a significant development in the high-profile case that has garnered national attention. This report reflects current information available on May 15, 2026, which consistently identifies Suvendu Adhikari as the Chief Minister of West Bengal across multiple reputable Indian news sources. The suspended officers are former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, former Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Abhishek Gupta, and former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Indira Mukherjee. Chief Minister Adhikari stated that the suspensions were ordered following the initiation of departmental inquiries against these officers. The allegations against them include a range of procedural errors and misconduct during the crucial initial phase of the investigation into the gruesome crime. Specific accusations leveled by Chief Minister Adhikari include the alleged mishandling of the case, dereliction of duty, and even attempts to offer money to the victim's parents as a bribe. Furthermore, the officers are accused of holding an "unauthorized press conference" related to the incident, which reportedly took place in August 2024. The Chief Minister clarified that while the state government is initiating disciplinary proceedings and departmental inquiries, it is not interfering with the actual criminal investigation, which is currently being handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and is under judicial scrutiny. The RG Kar rape-murder case dates back to August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital was found raped and murdered inside a seminar hall within the hospital premises. The horrific incident triggered widespread outrage across the country, leading to massive protests by doctors, medical students, and civil society groups demanding justice and enhanced security at hospitals. In the immediate aftermath of the crime, a 33-year-old civic volunteer named Sanjay Roy, working for Kolkata Police, was arrested on suspicion of committing the crime. Three days later, the Calcutta High Court transferred the investigation to the CBI, citing a lack of confidence in the initial probe conducted by the Kolkata Police. In January 2025, a trial court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment after convicting him in the case. However, the victim's family has consistently expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, maintaining that Roy was not the sole accused and that other aspects were not adequately examined by the CBI and state police. A significant political dimension to this case is the involvement of the victim's mother, who recently contested and won the West Bengal Assembly elections from the Panihati seat on a BJP ticket. Her electoral victory, driven by her unwavering fight for justice for her daughter, highlights the enduring public and political sensitivity surrounding the RG Kar case. The current suspensions underscore the government's commitment to ensuring accountability for alleged past investigative failures, especially given the continuous questions and demands for justice from the victim's family and the wider public. This development signifies a renewed scrutiny of the initial handling of the case and a push for greater transparency and accountability within the police force in West Bengal under the leadership of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

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