Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has reiterated his government’s stated zero-tolerance policy towards crime, pointing to the suspension of three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers over alleged mishandling and dereliction of duty during the initial investigation into the 2024 RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case.
Speaking at an event organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on Friday, October 9, 2026, Adhikari said his government would pursue accountability in the case.
The Chief Minister also referred to allegations concerning the vandalism at the hospital shortly after the crime, the circumstances surrounding the victim’s cremation and alleged irregularities in the purchase of medical equipment during the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government’s tenure.
The developments have widened scrutiny surrounding the case, which triggered nationwide protests following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in August 2024. The various inquiries concern different aspects of the matter, and allegations against individuals must be distinguished from findings established through investigations or judicial proceedings.
Three IPS Officers Suspended Over Alleged Lapses in RG Kar Investigation
The West Bengal government suspended three IPS officers on May 15, 2026, over alleged lapses in the initial handling of the RG Kar rape-murder case. Adhikari cited the action as an example of his government’s commitment to accountability in cases involving alleged criminal or administrative misconduct.
The officers were also accused of dereliction of duty and other alleged irregularities in their handling of the case. The government announced departmental proceedings against them following their suspension. <Cite refs={[“turn208174search2″,”turn208174search1”]} />
The three officers are:
- Vineet Goyal – Former Commissioner of Kolkata Police.
- Indira Mukherjee – Former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), Kolkata Police.
- Abhishek Gupta – Former Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), Kolkata Police.
According to reports on the suspensions, the allegations included mishandling the initial investigation, allegedly offering money to the victim’s parents and conducting a media briefing without authorisation. These allegations form part of the disciplinary proceedings and should not be treated as final findings of guilt.
Adhikari said the action against the three officers demonstrated that seniority would not shield officials from scrutiny when questions arose over their handling of a sensitive criminal case.
The rape and murder of the trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024 had prompted widespread protests by doctors, students and members of the public. The case also raised questions about institutional accountability, police conduct and the safety of women in healthcare settings.
Suvendu Adhikari Alleges Conspiracy Behind RG Kar Hospital Vandalism
During the event, Adhikari alleged that the vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on the night of August 14, 2024, was part of a conspiracy connected to the handling of the rape-murder case.
He alleged that the then local TMC MLA had mobilised a mob that vandalised the crime scene on the instructions of the then Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari also claimed that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Referring to the alleged involvement of a group of people in the incident, he said the government would pursue action against the perpetrators.
These are allegations made by the Chief Minister and should be treated as such unless substantiated by the relevant investigation or judicial findings. <Cite refs={[“turn208174search12″,”turn208174news34”]} />
The vandalism occurred on August 14, five days after the trainee doctor’s body was discovered at the hospital on August 9, 2024. The incident became a major point of controversy during the protests that followed the crime, with questions raised over how a mob gained access to parts of the hospital and whether the crime scene had been adequately protected.
Adhikari’s latest remarks indicate that his government intends to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of its broader scrutiny of the RG Kar case.
Cremation-Related Allegations: Calcutta High Court Transfers Probe to CBI
Adhikari also referred to allegations that the trainee doctor’s body had been cremated hurriedly, saying that his government would pursue justice for the victim’s family.
The victim’s father had alleged that the cremation was rushed to destroy or remove evidence. The complaint led to a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the cremation and the events that followed the discovery of the crime.
The matter has since seen significant judicial intervention. On October 1, 2026, the Calcutta High Court directed the transfer of the cremation-related investigation from the Khardah police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case was brought within the scope of a CBI Special Investigation Team (SIT) already examining allegations of a larger conspiracy connected with the RG Kar case. <Cite refs={[“turn208174search8″,”turn208174search7”]} />
The High Court directed the state police to hand over the relevant records to the CBI team and made clear that parallel investigations into the same issue should not continue.
The development is significant because it places the cremation-related allegations within the court-monitored CBI investigation. The allegations concerning the removal or destruction of evidence remain subject to investigation and legal determination.
Adhikari said his government would ensure that the victim’s family received justice. However, the investigation into the cremation is now being handled by the CBI team in accordance with the High Court’s directions, rather than through a parallel state police investigation.
Alleged Irregularities in RG Kar Hospital Equipment Purchases to Be Investigated
The Chief Minister also said allegations of irregularities in the purchase of medical equipment at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital during the previous TMC government’s tenure would be investigated.
This proposed inquiry adds a financial and administrative dimension to the wider scrutiny of the institution. While the original case concerns the rape and murder of the trainee doctor and the handling of the criminal investigation, the equipment-purchase allegations concern procurement processes and possible irregularities in public expenditure.
Adhikari did not provide details of the specific purchases, transactions or officials that would be examined in the information supplied. Any conclusion about wrongdoing would therefore depend on the findings of the relevant inquiry.
The proposed examination of hospital purchases is separate from the criminal investigation into the trainee doctor’s death and the CBI-led investigation into the cremation-related allegations.
Who Is Vineet Kumar Goyal IPS?
Vineet Kumar Goyal is a 1994-batch IPS officer who served as Commissioner of Kolkata Police before being suspended in May 2026 over alleged lapses in the initial handling of the RG Kar case.
Goyal holds a BTech degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur and an MTech from IIT Kanpur. He also completed a Master in Public Management at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore.
During his career, Goyal held several senior policing assignments, including positions as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Special Task Force and Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Midnapore Range. He became Kolkata Police Commissioner in December 2021.
He was associated with efforts to modernise policing through technology, including the introduction of electronic traffic challans, or e-challans, in Kolkata.
Goyal also received the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry for his role in the 2011 operation against Maoist leader Kishenji in West Bengal, according to published profiles of the officer.
His suspension relates to allegations concerning his handling of the RG Kar case. The departmental proceedings are separate from the determination of any criminal liability.
Who Is Indira Mukherjee IPS?
Indira Mukherjee is a 2013-batch IPS officer who served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) in Kolkata before her suspension in connection with the alleged lapses in the RG Kar investigation.
Before joining the civil services, Mukherjee studied Computer Engineering and worked as a systems engineer with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Kolkata. She later cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in her third attempt, securing All India Rank 256, according to published profiles.
She also pursued a master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Calcutta.
Her police career included field assignments as Additional Superintendent of Police in Uttar Dinajpur and as Superintendent of Police in Jhargram and Purba Medinipur. These postings provided her with experience in district-level policing and law enforcement.
Mukherjee was reported to have received the West Bengal Police Medal for Exemplary Service on Independence Day in 2024 for her work in policing and investigations.
She was suspended along with Goyal and Gupta on May 15, 2026, as the state government initiated departmental proceedings concerning the initial handling of the RG Kar case.
Who Is Abhishek Gupta IPS?
Abhishek Gupta is a 2011-batch IPS officer of the West Bengal cadre. He served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) in Kolkata before being suspended over alleged lapses in the RG Kar investigation.
Gupta holds a BTech degree and has served in policing and command assignments during his career. His professional experience includes field-level law enforcement and supervisory responsibilities within the state police.
According to the career information provided, he was later shifted to the position of Commanding Officer of the Eastern Frontier Rifles’ 2nd Battalion following administrative changes in late 2024.
His suspension, alongside those of Goyal and Mukherjee, forms part of the West Bengal government’s departmental action over alleged shortcomings in the initial phase of the RG Kar case.
The proceedings are intended to examine the officers’ conduct and responsibilities during that period. The allegations against them should not be taken as proof of guilt before the disciplinary process reaches its findings.
RG Kar Case: Multiple Investigations and Questions of Accountability
Adhikari’s remarks bring several aspects of the RG Kar controversy back into focus: the initial police investigation, the hospital vandalism, the circumstances surrounding the victim’s cremation and alleged irregularities in medical equipment purchases.
The suspension of three senior IPS officers has placed police accountability at the centre of the administrative response. Separately, the cremation-related allegations are now part of a CBI investigation under the Calcutta High Court’s directions.
The proposed inquiry into hospital equipment purchases could extend scrutiny to procurement and administrative decisions made during the previous government. However, the details and findings of that inquiry have not yet been established in the information available.
The Chief Minister has reiterated that those found responsible should face action. The outcome of the various investigations and departmental proceedings will determine whether the allegations lead to further administrative or legal consequences.
