Calcutta High Court Defers Plea Seeking Removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal

 

Plea Alleges Improper Probe and Victim's Identity Revealed

A plea has been moved before the Calcutta High Court seeking the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal over allegations of improper investigation into the rape and murder of a resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The petitioner claimed that Goyal revealed the victim's name to the media, which is illegal.

The probe was eventually transferred to the CBI by the High Court, which stated it could not express confidence in the manner the investigation was being conducted by the Kolkata Police

High Court Defers Matter Citing Supreme Court Proceedings 

Today, a bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya, upon hearing the mentioning of the plea to remove Goyal as Commissioner of Kolkata Police, questioned the petitioner why they didn't intervene in the suo moto proceedings before the Supreme Court.

Upon being told that the petitioner intended to also approach the Supreme Court, the bench stated: "Judicial discipline demands us to defer the matter. We will defer these matters for a week or too as SC has called for reports from all parties."

Accordingly, the Court listed all connected matters for next week

Doctors Demand Commissioner's Resignation

On Monday, hundreds of junior doctors from various state-run hospitals in Kolkata took part in the 'Lalbazar
Abhijan' (march to Lalbazar) to demand the resignation of Commissioner Vineet Goyal. A delegation of 22 doctors eventually met with Goyal to submit a memorandum demanding his resignation.

During the meeting, the doctors alleged that Goyal admitted to the failure of the police regarding the events on August 12 ('renovation work' near the crime scene) and August 14 (attack on R.G. Kar hospital).They also discussed other irregularities surrounding the cordoning off of the crime scene and evidence tampering.

The doctors gifted Goyal a replica of a human spine as a symbol of their demand for his resignation.While the protesters outside Lalbazar dispersed, the movement demanding justice for the victim continues.

Former RG Kar Principal Arrested by CBI

In a related development, the former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Dr. Sandip Ghosh, was arrested by the CBI in a case related to financial irregularities at the hospitalosh and three others were sent to eight-day CBI custody.

The state health department has also suspended Dr. Ghosh, facing allegations of lapses and corruption .West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose described Ghosh's arrest as the "beginning of the end" of an investigation into alleged financial misconduct at the establishment.

West Bengal Passes Anti-Rape Law

Under increasing pressure to act, the West Bengal government unanimously passed the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024. The bill seeks to amend central laws at the state level to seek increased punishment for severe crimes against women and children.

In conclusion, the Calcutta High Court has deferred the plea seeking the removal of Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, citing the Supreme Court's involvement in the matter. Meanwhile, junior doctors continue to demand Goyal's resignation over alleged lapses in the investigation, while the state government has taken steps to address the issue through legislative means and arrests of key individuals.