Kolkata: The West Bengal government has extended the suspension of three senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers by another 120 days in connection with the alleged dereliction of duty in the investigation of the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape and murder case. The decision has been taken to facilitate an impartial and influence-free departmental inquiry while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its fresh investigation into one of the country’s most high-profile criminal cases.
The three suspended officers are former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, former Deputy Commissioner of Police (North Division) Abhishek Gupta, and former Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division) Indira Mukherjee.
Suspension Extended to Ensure Fair Departmental Inquiry
According to officials, the suspension period of the three IPS officers, which was initially imposed on May 15, 2026, has now been extended for another 120 days.
Sources in the state secretariat, Nabanna, said the extension is intended to ensure that the ongoing departmental proceedings remain free from any external influence while the criminal investigation progresses.
The officers are facing allegations of dereliction of duty and lapses in handling the investigation following the rape and murder of a young woman doctor inside the premises of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024.
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CBI Forms Fresh SIT
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has constituted a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fresh probe into the case.
As part of the renewed investigation, the SIT reportedly questioned Abhishek Gupta and Indira Mukherjee last month and recorded their statements.
The CBI’s fresh investigation is expected to examine the sequence of events, the initial police response, and alleged procedural lapses during the handling of the case.
Case That Triggered Nationwide Outrage
The incident dates back to August 9, 2024, when the body of a woman doctor was recovered from inside the premises of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
The victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, is currently a BJP legislator representing the Panihati Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district.
The gruesome crime sparked massive public outrage across West Bengal and the country. Doctors, medical associations, civil society groups, students, celebrities and citizens staged widespread protests demanding justice and accountability.
The protests gradually spread beyond West Bengal, drawing national and international attention to the case.
Questions Raised Over Police Investigation
Following the incident, serious questions were raised regarding the manner in which the Kolkata Police handled the investigation.
Public protests demanded the resignation of the then Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal and senior officer Abhishek Gupta, alleging lapses in the investigation.
Former DCP (Central) Indira Mukherjee also came under criticism after she addressed several media briefings during the initial stages of the investigation. She was accused by critics of presenting misleading information regarding the case.
Amid mounting public pressure, the then state government led by Mamata Banerjee transferred Vineet Kumar Goyaland Abhishek Gupta from their respective posts. However, Indira Mukherjee continued as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division).
Suspension Ordered After Reopening of Case
Following the reopening of the RG Kar files by the new state administration, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on May 15, 2026, ordered the suspension of the three IPS officers and directed that a departmental inquiry be initiated against them.
The government maintained that disciplinary action was necessary to ensure accountability while parallel investigations continued.
Investigation Continues
With the suspension now extended for another four months, both the departmental inquiry and the CBI investigation are expected to continue simultaneously.
Officials said further action against the officers will depend on the findings of the departmental proceedings as well as the outcome of the CBI’s ongoing investigation.
