The West Bengal government is set to initiate the process of withdrawing cases registered during the previous Trinamool Congress regime against doctors and civil society members who participated in what it describes as “peaceful and democratic” protests following the RG Kar rape and murder in 2024
KOLKATA — The West Bengal government is set to initiate the process of withdrawing cases registered during the previous Trinamool Congress regime against doctors and civil society members who participated in what it describes as “peaceful and democratic” protests following the RG Kar rape and murder in 2024.
According to sources at the state secretariat, the move will be based on recommendations from a newly constituted judicial commission headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Biswajit Basu. The commission is expected to identify cases in which protesters were allegedly booked to harass them or suppress the agitation seeking justice in the RG Kar rape and murder case.
However, the police administration will also initiate the process of identifying and taking action against those involved in ransacking and vandalising the R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in North Kolkata on the midnight of August 14, 2024. This was reportedly done with twin intentions -- to destroy evidence at the scene of crime within the hospital premises and to divert media attention from the “Women, reclaim the night” protests against the ghastly rape & murder of the lady junior doctor.
Following the BJP's rise to power in West Bengal earlier this year, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered the reopening of the R.G. Kar case. He announced the suspension of three IPS officers -- former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, former Deputy Commissioner (North Division) Abhishek Gupta, and former Deputy Commissioner (Central Division) Indira Mukherjee. Departmental inquiries were also initiated against them.
"The new government's position on the RG Kar issue is clear,” a senior source at Nabanna said, adding, “The priority is to ensure punishment for those involved, directly or indirectly, in attempts to dilute the larger conspiracy through tampering with evidence, while also freeing peaceful protesters from what are seen as unnecessary cases and harassment.”