Calcutta High Court Discharges DOPD in PIL Against Ex-Kolkata Police Commissioner, Centre Submits Report on RG Kar Evidence Destruction

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, November 21, 2024, Kolkata : In a significant development on Thursday, the Calcutta High Court discharged the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPD) from a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) involving former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal. Goyal is accused of orchestrating the destruction of critical evidence in the RG Kar case. Alongside this ruling, the Centre submitted a report in the court outlining the procedural role it may play if the state fails to act on allegations involving Indian Police Service (IPS) officers.

The PIL filed against Goyal alleges that he abused his power to eliminate key information related to the victim’s incident in the RG Kar case, which has drawn public concern. The Division Bench, headed by the Chief Justice, has directed all parties to submit affidavits in response to the Centre's report. The next hearing is scheduled for December 23.

In the report presented by the Centre, it was stated that the responsibility for addressing complaints against IPS officers falls primarily with the state. However, the Centre indicated that if the state fails to take action, a complaint can be escalated to the Union Home Ministry. If necessary, the Home Ministry could initiate a departmental inquiry into the matter.

The case continues to draw attention, with the next hearing set to address further developments regarding the destruction of evidence in a matter that has stirred public interest and raised questions about accountability within the police force.