West Bengal Govt Suspends 3 Senior IPS Officers Over Alleged Lapses in RG Kar Case Probe

In a major administrative action with wide implications, the West Bengal government on Friday suspended three senior IPS officers over alleged lapses in the initial handling of the RG Kar hospital rape and murder case , one of the most sensitive criminal cases in the state in recent years.

The suspended officers include former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal , and former deputy commissioners Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta . Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the decision at the state secretariat, stating that it follows a departmental inquiry into their conduct during the early phase of the investigation.

The RG Kar case dates back to August 2024 , when a woman doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata , an incident that triggered massive public outrage, protests, and nationwide debate on women’s safety and institutional accountability. The case later shifted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after sustained pressure and legal intervention, and the probe is currently under court supervision .

According to the state government, the suspension is based on findings of an internal review that flagged serious concerns over the initial police response. The officers are accused of procedural lapses and alleged mishandling of the early stages of the investigation, including questions over evidence management and overall coordination during the critical first hours of the case.

They were also criticised for reportedly attempting to offer monetary assistance to the victim’s family in a manner considered inappropriate, and for holding an unauthorised press interaction linked to the investigation, both of which raised questions over adherence to protocol in a highly sensitive case.

The government clarified that the disciplinary action is separate from the ongoing CBI-led criminal probe and does not interfere with the investigation into the crime itself. Instead, the inquiry is aimed at fixing internal accountability within the police hierarchy.

Officials said the disciplinary proceedings will be conducted by the state home department under the supervision of the chief secretary to determine responsibility for the alleged lapses. The move marks one of the strongest administrative actions taken so far in connection with the case, which had already shaken public confidence and intensified scrutiny of policing standards in the state.