The West Bengal government on Friday suspended three senior IPS officers over alleged lapses in the investigation of the 2024 RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, in a move that has once again brought renewed attention to the handling of one of the country’s most high-profile criminal investigations. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, addressing the development, said the action was taken following findings of procedural lapses in the initial stages of the investigation into the case involving a trainee doctor who was found dead in August 2024 inside the seminar hall of the state-run medical institution in Kolkata.

The case had later escalated into a national controversy after investigations revealed that the victim had been raped and murdered by a civic volunteer identified as Sanjay Roy. The incident had triggered widespread outrage across the country, with doctors, medical associations, and healthcare workers staging protests demanding swift justice and stronger security measures in hospitals and medical colleges. The case also became a focal point of debate around institutional accountability and safety for healthcare professionals.

According to the chief minister, the suspended officers include the former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and two other senior officials. He alleged that the officers were involved in mishandling aspects of the investigation, including claims related to offering monetary assistance to the victim’s family and holding an unauthorised press briefing connected to the case. The state government also announced that departmental proceedings would be initiated against the officers concerned.

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Officials clarified that the disciplinary action is separate from the ongoing criminal investigation, which continues to be handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under court supervision. The government further maintained that it was not interfering with the core probe into the crime itself, emphasising that the legal process in the case remains under judicial scrutiny. The latest administrative action, however, is expected to intensify political debate over the handling of the case and the role of senior police officials during the initial investigation phase.

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