The West Bengal government on Friday suspended three senior IPS officers for their alleged mishandling and dereliction of duty during the initial phase of the investigation into the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.
Announcing the decision at the state secretariat, Adhikari said the suspension of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, and former deputy commissioners Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta, was ordered following a departmental probe initiated against them.
The chief minister alleged that the three officers were involved in the “mishandling” of the case, “offering money to the victim’s parents as a bribe”, and addressing an “unauthorised press conference” in connection with the crime that took place in August 2024.
Adhikari clarified that the state government was not interfering in the criminal investigation, which is being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation and is currently being argued in court.
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The CM said the disciplinary proceedings and departmental inquiry would be led by the state home secretary under the guidance of the chief secretary.
The RG Kar case had triggered widespread outrage across West Bengal and other parts of the country after the body of a postgraduate trainee doctor was found inside the seminar hall of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, 2024. The victim was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty, sparking protests by doctors, medical students and civil society groups demanding justice and improved security at hospitals.
The incident also led to sharp criticism of the initial police handling of the case, with allegations of delays, procedural lapses and attempts to suppress evidence. Following mounting public pressure and intervention by the Calcutta High Court, the probe was handed over to the CBI.
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