The suspension period of three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers accused of dereliction of duty in connection with the rape and murder of a woman doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata has been extended by another 120 days. Vineet Kumar Goyal, Abhishek Gupta, and Indira Mukherjee were initially suspended by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on May 15, along with a departmental probe against them. The extension is aimed at ensuring a proper and influence-free investigation.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formed a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a fresh probe into the case. The SIT has already interrogated Gupta and Mukherjee and recorded their statements. The incident had sparked massive protests throughout the state and beyond, with demands for the immediate resignation of Goyal and Gupta for their handling of the investigation.
Mukherjee was also accused of passing on misleading information through press conferences. The case led to the transfer of Goyal and Gupta, while Mukherjee was retained as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (central division) until the suspension was announced. The reopening of the case files and the suspension of the three officers were announced by Chief Minister Adhikari on May 15, following immense public pressure.
The case has been widely condemned, with the victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, a BJP legislator from Panihati Assembly constituency, seeking justice for her daughter. The extension of the suspension period is seen as a step towards ensuring that those responsible for the dereliction of duty are held accountable. The investigation is ongoing, with the CBI’s SIT working to uncover the truth behind the ghastly rape and murder case.
