West Bengal extends suspension of three IPS officers in RG Kar case by four months

PTI, July 6, 2026, Kolkata : The West Bengal government has extended the suspension of three IPS officers – Vineet Goyal, Abhishek Gupta and Indira Mukhopadhyay – in connection with alleged lapses in police handling of the investigation into the rape and murder of a young doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital by another four months, a senior official said on Monday.

The three IPS officers were placed under suspension on May 15 this year over alleged mishandling of the investigation and dereliction of duty in the high-profile case that triggered nationwide outrage and prolonged protests by the medical fraternity.

"The suspension of the three officers has been extended for another four months," the official said.

The suspension order followed the government's decision after Suvendu Adhikari assumed charge as West Bengal Chief Minister.

A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said, "The extension of the suspension is a procedural step as the departmental inquiry is still underway. The officers will continue to remain under suspension until further orders."

"The disciplinary proceedings have not been concluded yet, and the government has decided to extend the suspension in accordance with the applicable service rules," he added.

Vineet Goyal, who was the Kolkata Police Commissioner when the incident took place, had earlier been shifted to the post of Additional Director General of the Special Task Force (STF) in September 2024 amid mounting protests over the RG Kar incident.

Abhishek Gupta was the Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) at the time of the crime and was later removed from the post in the wake of the public agitation.

Indira Mukhopadhyay, then Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central), had emerged as one of the principal police spokespersons during the RG Kar case and frequently addressed the media as the controversy unfolded.