The West Bengal Health Department has reopened files connected to the high-profile RG Kar case, signalling a renewed examination of the investigation into the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The move comes after newly appointed Health Minister Dr. Sharadwat Mukherjee met the victim's parents and reviewed concerns regarding the handling of the case.
On Friday, Mukherjee held an extensive meeting lasting nearly ninety minutes with the victim's family. During the discussion, he reportedly sought detailed information about their concerns, the course of the investigation, and areas where they believed serious shortcomings may have occurred. Officials indicated that the minister wanted to understand both the family's grievances and the specific aspects of the probe that continue to raise questions.
Following the meeting with the parents, Mukherjee convened another session with senior officials of the Health Department to examine available records, documentation, and findings associated with the case. The review is expected to focus not only on the original investigation but also on allegations that crucial evidence may have been mishandled or destroyed.
Addressing the media after the meetings, the minister stated that the government remained dissatisfied with the progress and outcome of the investigation so far. According to him, despite more than a year of efforts and public demands for justice, several questions remain unanswered, prompting the decision to reopen the files for further scrutiny.
Mukherjee described the matter as deeply important and emotionally significant, noting that the pursuit of justice had continued for nearly one and a half years. He indicated that the government believes a fresh review is necessary because existing findings have not fully addressed the concerns surrounding the case.
One of the most serious issues raised during the review involves allegations that evidence connected to the case may have been systematically destroyed. The minister claimed that the department intends to investigate whether evidence was deliberately tampered with, who may have been responsible, whether others assisted in the process, and whether there were broader irregularities connected to the investigation.
According to Mukherjee, the Health Department will gather and organise all documents, records, and evidence currently available. The material will then be made available to investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation Department, for additional examination and analysis.
While discussing the matter, the minister refrained from revealing specific details of the evidence or the review process, citing the fact that the case remains under judicial consideration.
The case itself dates back to August 2024, when a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead inside RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The victim, who was pursuing her second year of postgraduate medical training, was discovered unconscious inside a seminar hall located within the hospital's emergency building. She was later declared dead.
Reports at the time indicated the presence of injury marks on her body, leading authorities to register a murder case. The incident rapidly evolved into one of the most controversial and emotionally charged criminal cases in West Bengal, generating widespread public outrage and triggering months of protests across the state.
Doctors, medical students, healthcare workers, and civil society organisations organised demonstrations demanding justice for the victim and stronger measures to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals. The case also sparked broader discussions regarding workplace security within medical institutions.
In response to the incident, Kolkata Police established a Special Investigation Team comprising homicide specialists and officers from its Detective Department. However, the investigation soon became the subject of intense political debate and scrutiny.
Among those who publicly questioned the handling of the case was Amit Malviya, who accused the government led by Mamata Banerjee of attempting to suppress facts related to the investigation. He also raised concerns regarding the role played by the Kolkata Police during the probe.
Students of RG Kar Medical College were also prominent participants in the protest movement. They organised candlelight marches, demonstrations, and public campaigns demanding a transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible.
The decision to reopen the files comes amid continuing demands from the victim's family, medical organisations, and various civil society groups seeking a clearer understanding of what happened, how the investigation was conducted, and whether any evidence was improperly handled. The renewed review is expected to focus heavily on allegations of evidence destruction, procedural lapses, and potential gaps in the original investigation.
While the reopening of the files does not automatically constitute a new criminal investigation, it signals a fresh attempt by the Health Department to reassess the available material and assist investigative agencies in examining unresolved questions that continue to surround one of the state's most controversial criminal cases.
