Vandalism at RG Kar Hospital: Senior Kolkata Police Officers Suspended Amid Ongoing Investigation

Three senior Kolkata Police officers, including two assistant commissioners and one inspector, have been suspended following the incident of vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. On the early morning of August 15, a violent mob stormed the hospital, severely damaging the ground floor of the emergency building, including the nursing station and medicine store. This attack occurred just days after a postgraduate doctor was raped and murdered at the same hospital.

The suspended officers include Assistant Commissioners of Police Shakir Uddin Sardar and Ramesh Shah Chowdhury, as well as Inspector Rakesh Minz. They face charges of negligence for their failure to control the mob during their duty at the hospital. A departmental inquiry has been initiated against them.

Additionally, Assistant Sub-Inspector Anoop Dutt, who is believed to have connections with the accused in the case, appeared before the CBI for questioning. The CBI is investigating Dutt’s relationship with the accused, Sanjay Roy, and his knowledge of the night’s events. The agency also plans to question Roy’s relatives.

Dr. Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College, has been questioned by the CBI for the fifth consecutive day. Investigators are probing discrepancies in his statements and why part of the seminar room was demolished and repaired during the investigation. Ghosh faces allegations of dereliction of duty and attempts to cover up the crime.

The violence erupted during midnight protests by women in Kolkata, and the Kolkata Police faced severe criticism from both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court. The courts condemned the police for failing to control the mob and protect the hospital premises, which was an active crime scene. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, questioned the police about several issues, including the delay in filing the FIR, the late handover of the victim’s body to her family, and the failure to secure the hospital during the mob attack. The Court criticized former RG Kar Medical College principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh for initially labeling the murder as a suicide.

The Supreme Court highlighted that the body was handed over for the funeral at 8:30 am, but the FIR was only registered at 11:45 pm. The victim, who had been working a 36-hour shift, was found with severe injuries consistent with sexual assault. In response to the protests by doctors nationwide, the Supreme Court has urged them to halt their agitation and assured them that their demands will be addressed.​