The BJP government in West Bengal on Tuesday intensified its probe into the alleged irregularities surrounding the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital case, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announcing that sanction for prosecution has been granted against former RG Kar superintendent Sandip Ghosh in connection with the alleged financial corruption linked to the institution.
In a strongly worded post on Facebook, the chief minister said he felt “fortunate” to have been able to take the decision as head of the government.
Referring to the brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor, popularly referred to as “Abhaya”, at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August 2024, Mr Adhikari said legal permission had been granted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to proceed against Dr Ghosh in accordance with law.
“Today, as Chief Minister, I feel fortunate to have taken a significant and positive step. In the brutal rape and murder case of sister Abhaya at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August 2024, sanction of prosecution has been accorded against the then superintendent of RG Kar, the notorious Sandip Ghosh, allowing the ED to take lawful action against him,” Mr Adhikari wrote.
The chief minister further alleged that the previous Trinamul Congress government had “forcibly and unethically” delayed the investigation process for a long time.
“We believe nobody is above the law. Truth cannot be suppressed forever,” he added.
Mr Adhikari also said he wanted the “real culprits” behind the incident to be identified quickly and awarded the “strictest punishment”, while expressing hope that the people of Bengal would witness justice being delivered.
He concluded the message by praying for eternal peace for the victim’s soul.
The development came on the same day the state government announced the formation of two separate committees to investigate allegations of corruption and atrocities against women.
The move is being seen as part of the BJP government’s broader attempt to revisit several high-profile cases from the previous regime.
Senior police officers linked to the handling of the RG Kar investigation have already come under scrutiny.
IPS officers Vineet Goyal, Indira Mukhopadhyay and Abhishek Gupta have reportedly been suspended in connection with alleged lapses in the probe.
The government has now indicated that it will examine call records and WhatsApp chats of the three officers as part of the investigation.
Speaking from Nabanna earlier, the chief minister suggested that the role of former chief minister Mamata Banerjee may also come under the scanner.
“We will examine whether any instructions were issued at that time by any minister or the then chief minister. We will uncover everything gradually through surrounding evidence, phone call records and WhatsApp chats,” Mr Adhikari said.
Describing the RG Kar incident as one that had “shaken not only Bengal but the entire world”, the chief minister said the case had severely damaged the state’s image and dignity.
He added that the government would take several more steps in the coming days to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in the administration and investigative process.