Nearly two years after the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital shook the country, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the formation of a fresh three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe allegations of evidence suppression, investigative lapses and a possible larger conspiracy in the case.
The division bench of Justices Shampa Sarkar and Tirthankar Ghosh directed the SIT to submit a report by June 25 after hearing a petition filed by the victim’s parents, who claimed that crucial witnesses were never questioned and that the original investigation failed to examine the full sequence of events leading to their daughter’s death.
The court has also asked the CBI to review developments after its October 2024 charge sheet, which named former Kolkata Police civic volunteer Sanjay Roy as the sole accused.
The renewed probe comes amid rising political tensions in West Bengal, following the suspension of senior IPS officers over alleged lapses in the investigation and the emergence of the victim’s mother, Ratna Debnath, as a prominent political figure backed by the BJP during the 2026 Assembly elections.
While the BJP has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of shielding powerful interests, the TMC has maintained that due process is being followed and that the matter should not be politicised.
Court Reopens Critical Questions
The latest order by the Calcutta High Court has once again brought national attention to one of India’s most controversial criminal cases. The victim, a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor, was found raped and murdered inside the emergency building of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August 2024, triggering widespread protests by doctors, civil society groups and women’s rights organisations across the country.
Public anger intensified after allegations surfaced that the initial police investigation had been mishandled. Responding to growing outrage, the High Court transferred the probe from Kolkata Police to the CBI on August 13, 2024. However, despite the CBI filing a charge sheet against Sanjay Roy as the sole accused, the victim’s parents repeatedly questioned whether the investigation had explored all possible angles.
During the recent hearing, lawyers representing the family argued that several people who had dinner with the victim shortly before the incident were allegedly never questioned either by the Kolkata Police or later by the CBI.
The High Court has now directed investigators to reconstruct the timeline beginning from the victim’s final hours, including her dinner with fellow junior doctors, the discovery of her body in the seminar hall and the subsequent handling and cremation of the body.
According to reports from lawyers present in court, the bench also asked the CBI to submit details of all investigative steps taken after the October 2024 charge sheet. In response, CBI counsel reportedly informed the court that around 80 individuals had already been questioned during the course of the investigation.
The case took another dramatic turn earlier this month when former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and two other senior IPS officers were suspended over alleged lapses linked to the original probe. Allegations against the officers reportedly include mishandling evidence, attempting to influence the victim’s parents and conducting unauthorised media interactions.
Though no criminal guilt has been established, the suspensions significantly altered public perception, with many observers seeing them as validation of long-standing concerns regarding institutional accountability. Meanwhile, social media discussions on platforms such as Reddit, YouTube and X have continued to amplify questions surrounding CCTV timelines, alleged destruction of evidence and inconsistencies in official communication, though many of these claims remain unverified.
Case Turns Political Flashpoint
Over time, the RG Kar case evolved beyond a criminal investigation and became one of the defining political issues in West Bengal’s 2026 Assembly elections. The BJP aggressively campaigned on themes of women’s safety, accountability and alleged corruption within the state administration, frequently citing the RG Kar incident in rallies and speeches.
The political significance of the case deepened further when Ratna Debnath, the victim’s mother, entered electoral politics as a BJP candidate from Panihati constituency and won the seat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both referred to the case during campaign speeches, presenting it as an example of institutional failure under the ruling TMC government.
At the same time, critics accused political parties of exploiting a deeply painful tragedy for electoral gain. Supporters of Ratna Debnath argued that her political participation reflected a desperate search for justice after months of unanswered questions, while opponents viewed the move as a troubling politicisation of personal grief.
The discourse became especially polarised online, where competing narratives transformed the case into a symbol of broader debates around governance, police accountability and public trust in institutions.
Adding another layer to the controversy, former RG Kar principal Sandip Ghosh is also facing separate allegations linked to financial irregularities, with the Enforcement Directorate recently receiving permission to prosecute him.
Although this inquiry is distinct from the rape-murder investigation, activists and opposition leaders have increasingly argued that both cases reflect deeper institutional problems within the hospital administration.
Legal experts believe the June 25 deadline for the SIT report could prove crucial in determining whether the investigation expands further or whether earlier conclusions are reaffirmed. If the SIT uncovers major inconsistencies, it could intensify scrutiny on both former police officials and political actors associated with the original handling of the case.
Conversely, if the findings support the existing charge sheet, it may strengthen the CBI’s claim that Sanjay Roy acted alone. Either way, the case continues to occupy a deeply emotional and politically charged space in Bengal’s public life.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The RG Kar case is no longer only about one horrific crime; it has become a test of how institutions respond when public trust is shaken. At the heart of this tragedy is a young doctor whose life was brutally cut short, and a grieving family that continues to seek answers nearly two years later.
The fresh SIT probe ordered by the Calcutta High Court underlines the importance of transparency, accountability and due process in restoring public confidence. At the same time, the growing politicisation of the case raises difficult questions about how societies balance the pursuit of justice with electoral narratives and public outrage.
Also read: Twisha Sharma Death Case Triggers National Outrage As MP Govt Pushes For CBI Investigation
