- By Raju Kumar
- Wed, 20 May 2026 07:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kolkata RG Kar Case: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stormed into power after uprooting the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections 2026. During the poll campaign, the Kolkata RG Kar case has emerged as the biggest poll issue, raising the issue of women's safety. Now, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari vowed to punish all culprits in the case and started taking initiatives to ensure justice.
What Action The BJP Govt Taken In The CAse
The Adhikari government took several steps, including the suspension of three senior IPS officers and intensifying investigations into alleged irregularities involving Sandip Ghosh, the former superintendent at RG Kar Hospital.
ALSO READ: RG Kar Row: Bengal Government Clears Prosecution Of Ex-Principal Sandip Ghosh In Corruption Case
Late last week, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the suspension of three IPS officers for alleged mishandling of the investigation. This signals recognition at the highest levels that police response was inadequate, if not compromised. The suspension also highlights a deeper malaise: The reported politicisation of policing in West Bengal. Officers are often accused of toeing the ruling party's line rather than upholding impartial law enforcement. In this case, questions abound as to whether political pressure influenced the pace and direction of the investigation.
On Tuesday, the Chief Minister granted sanction for prosecution against the former superintendent in connection with the alleged financial corruption linked to the institution. Reports suggest that lapses in security, mismanagement of staff, and questionable financial dealings created an environment where accountability was absent. Investigators are examining whether Ghosh's alleged irregularities contributed to the unsafe conditions that enabled the crime. His role has become a focal point in understanding how institutional rot may have intersected with broader governance failures.
What Is RG Kar Case?
The RG Kar case refers to the brutal rape and murder of a young junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, which created a huge public outcry in August 2024.
The 2024 case became emblematic of the vulnerability of women in public institutions and the erosion of trust in state mechanisms meant to protect them. The brutality of the crime, committed within the premises of a leading medical college, underscored the collapse of basic safety protocols in spaces that should have been secure. Administrative follow-up was also criticised for allegedly being inadequate and slow, till the High Court sought a CBI probe. And it all happened with a woman Chief Minister at the helm. Public outrage mounted as details emerged of lapses in hospital administration, alleged cover"‘ups, and failures in policing. The victim's family and civil society groups demanded accountability not only from the perpetrators but also from those in positions of authority who allowed such negligence to fester.
Mamata May Face Probe Heat
Mamata held the crucial home and health ministries at the time, thus rendering her open to face scrutiny over systemic failures that are alleged to have enabled such a tragedy.
Victim's Mother Wins Poll
Ratna Debnath, the mother of the RG Kar rape and murder victim, won the Panihati Assembly constituency in the West Bengal elections.
(With Agencies Inputs)