The West Bengal government has suspended three IPS officers over alleged negligence in the investigation of the 2024 rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and has ordered departmental proceedings against them.
At a press conference on Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced action against senior police officials over alleged administrative lapses and procedural irregularities linked to the investigation of the case.
According to the government, the suspended officers are former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, former DCP (North) Abhishek Gupta, and DCP (Central) Indira Mukherjee.
The government alleged that the officers failed to follow several important procedural rules during the course of the investigation and were responsible for serious negligence in handling the case.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleged that several errors were committed during the initial phase of the investigation, which affected the direction of the case. He also claimed that allegations had emerged against some officials regarding inappropriate conduct and attempts to exert pressure on the victim’s family.
The government further alleged that certain media briefings and press conferences were conducted without proper administrative approval, raising questions over the confidentiality and transparency of the investigation process.
According to the state government, all aspects of the alleged irregularities will be examined through a detailed departmental inquiry, and further action may be taken if additional involvement is identified.
The victim’s family has consistently alleged that the investigation remained incomplete and that several important pieces of evidence were ignored. The family claimed that multiple aspects related to forensic reports and the crime scene were not thoroughly examined.
The family has also stated that the crime may have involved more than one individual and has sought a fresh and impartial investigation through the Calcutta High Court.
In a separate development, reports of mobile phones and SIM cards being recovered from Kolkata’s Presidency Correctional Home have raised further administrative concerns.
According to reports, the jail superintendent has been suspended after prohibited electronic devices were found inside the correctional facility. Action has also been taken against two other jail officials.
Government sources stated that the matter could be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to determine how the mobile phones entered the jail premises and whether any internal network was involved.
The case relates to the incident of August 9, 2024, when the body of a junior woman doctor was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The incident triggered protests by doctors, students, and civil society groups across the country.
Following the initial investigation, Kolkata Police arrested civic volunteer Sanjay Roy in connection with the case. The investigation was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) amid public pressure and questions over the probe.
In January 2025, a trial court convicted Sanjay Roy and sentenced him to life imprisonment. However, the victim’s family has stated that it is not fully satisfied with the verdict.
The family alleged that several important leads were overlooked during the investigation and that the actual conspirators had not been identified.
The developments have triggered renewed political and administrative debate in West Bengal. The government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the action as a strict administrative measure, while the opposition viewed it as an attempt to influence the investigation under political pressure.
