West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has made a significant announcement regarding the 2024 rape and murder case of a female doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. On Sunday, the Chief Minister declared that a fresh investigation into the case would be initiated, stating that the police had failed to perform their duties effectively during the initial stages of the investigation. This decision comes as a major development in a case that had previously sent shockwaves across the entire nation and continues to be a point of intense public and legal scrutiny.
Request from the Victim's Mother and Legal Framework
The Chief Minister clarified that the decision to reopen the investigation was taken following a formal request from the mother of the deceased doctor. The victim's mother, Ratna Debnath, who is now a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had written a letter to the Chief Minister seeking a new probe into the matter. Suvendu Adhikari stated that after receiving the letter from Ratna Debnath, he held detailed discussions with the Chief Secretary and a team of experts to evaluate the legal and procedural aspects of the request. Following these consultations, the government decided to invoke the Special Commission Act, 1952, to facilitate a fresh and comprehensive inquiry.
Allegations of Police Failure and Funeral Negligence
During his announcement, Suvendu Adhikari was vocal about the perceived shortcomings of the law enforcement agencies. He alleged that the police were unsuccessful in fulfilling their responsibilities during the initial investigation of the crime. On top of that, the Chief Minister has ordered a separate investigation into the alleged negligence that occurred during the final rites and funeral of the female physician. He has issued strict instructions to identify those responsible for any lapses during the funeral process and to take immediate action against them.
Chronology of the RG Kar Medical College Incident
The case dates back to August 2024, when the body of a female post-graduate trainee doctor was discovered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of 9 August 2024, triggered a massive wave of protests. The victim's body was found in the seminar hall of the hospital. The initial post-mortem report confirmed the horrific nature of the crime, stating that the doctor had been brutally raped and then murdered by strangulation. The report also highlighted several serious injury marks on her body, which led to widespread outrage among the medical community and the general public.
Protests and Initial Legal Actions
Following the discovery of the crime, junior doctors across the country launched weeks-long strikes and protest demonstrations, demanding justice and better safety measures for healthcare professionals. The Kolkata Police initially handled the case and arrested Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, on 10 August 2024. However, citing the gravity of the situation, the Calcutta High Court intervened and transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 13 August 2024.
Trial and Subsequent Arrests
The legal proceedings saw a major milestone in January 2025, when a special court in Kolkata found the main accused, Sanjay Roy, guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Despite this verdict, the family of the deceased doctor expressed dissatisfaction, as they had been demanding the death penalty for the convict. In a parallel development, the then-principal of the college, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, faced serious allegations of tampering with evidence and financial irregularities, while the CBI arrested Dr. Sandip Ghosh in September 2024 in connection with these charges.
Supreme Court Intervention and SIT Formation
The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of the case and established a National Task Force (NTF) to recommend safety protocols for doctors. In December 2025, the apex court transferred the case back to the Calcutta High Court. The victim's parents continued to express concerns that more than one person might have been involved in the heinous crime. Responding to these apprehensions, the Calcutta High Court in May 2026 ordered the formation of a 3 member Special Investigation Team (SIT) within the CBI. This SIT is currently conducting an in-depth investigation to uncover any further conspiracies or accomplices involved in the case.