Bengal government suspends three senior IPS officers
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced the suspension of three senior IPS officers over alleged lapses and mishandling during the initial investigation into the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case that shook the state in August 2024.
The suspended officers include former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and former deputy commissioners Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta. The action follows a departmental inquiry initiated by the state government into their conduct during the early stages of the probe.
Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat, Adhikari alleged that the officers were involved in serious procedural irregularities and dereliction of duty while handling the sensitive case.
The Chief Minister claimed the officers were accused of “mishandling” the investigation, allegedly attempting to offer money to the victim’s parents and conducting an “unauthorised press conference” related to the case.
Adhikari clarified that the state government was not interfering in the criminal investigation itself, which is currently being handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and is under judicial scrutiny.
“The state government is not entering into the actual investigation being carried out by the CBI. The action relates only to departmental and administrative lapses,” he said.
The Chief Minister further stated that disciplinary proceedings against the three officers would be supervised by the state home secretary under the guidance of the chief secretary.
The RG Kar rape-murder case triggered massive outrage across West Bengal and the country, with protests demanding accountability, transparency and stricter action against those responsible for lapses in the investigation.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
