RG Kar rape and murder case: CM Adhikari orders fresh probe following request by victim’s mother; now a BJP MLA

BJP-appointed CM for West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, on Sunday announced a fresh investigation into the rape and murder case of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in 2024.

The fresh investigation stems from a request from the deceased doctor’s mother, who is now a BJP MLA. “Ratna Debnath had written to me, requesting a fresh investigation. After extensive discussions with the chief secretary and a team of experts, I am announcing a fresh investigation under the Special Commission Act, 1952,” he said. Debnath, who is a BJP MLA from the Panihati constituency.

Days after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stormed to power in West Bengal and ousted the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, took a swipe at Mamata Banerjee and likened the former Chief Minister’s defeat in the recently held assembly elections to her daughter’s death.

Hitting at the previous government, Adhikari alleged that the police had failed to perform the duty in connection to the case.

Separately, he also ordered an investigation into the alleged lapses during the cremation of the victim and directed immediate action against those responsible for the alleged lapses.

Exactly two years ago, a horrendous rape and murder was committed at the RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. A 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room on campus. The case led to widespread protests and outrage across the country, with many demanding justice for the victim.

It was alleged that the evidence were tampered in an effort to save the accused and downplay the incident. The case was later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court, which last week ordered the probe agency to constitute a three-member special investigation team (SIT).

The CBI has since arrested several individuals, including the main accused, Sanjay Roy, who has been convicted of the crime.