Bengal govt suspends 3 IPS officers over ‘lapses’ RG Kar rape-murder case probe: 'Offered money to victim's parents'

The West Bengal government suspended three senior IPS officers on May 15, 2026, for their alleged role in mishandling the investigation into the RG Kar hospital rape-murder case. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the suspension of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, along with ex-deputy commissioners Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta, citing accusations of offering money to the victim’s parents as a bribe and conducting an unauthorized press conference. The case involves the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. Her body was found in a seminar hall with severe injuries, and preliminary reports indicated she was subjected to violent sexual assault. The victim’s parents were reportedly misled by hospital officials, who claimed she had fallen ill. Adhikari clarified that the state government is not leading the criminal investigation, which is being handled by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Instead, disciplinary proceedings against the suspended officers will be conducted by the state home secretary under the chief secretary’s supervision. The allegations stem from the initial phase of the probe, where the officers allegedly failed to uphold professional standards. The CBI continues its independent investigation into the case, which has drawn widespread public outrage. The state government’s decision follows a departmental inquiry triggered by reports of misconduct during the early stages of the case.