RG Kar rape-murder: Calcutta HC accepts petition against former CP for disclosing victim's identity

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has accepted a petition accusing former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal of disclosing the identity of a junior doctor from R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, who was tragically raped and murdered in August. The case will be heard on Monday by a division bench led by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Bivas Pattanayak.

The petition was filed by Anita Pandey, a legal professional, who is asking for a First Information Report (FIR) to be registered against Goyal. This issue was brought to light by Pandey’s lawyer, senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, during a Supreme Court hearing on the case on September 30.

Goyal, who currently serves as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF), has faced strong criticism for the initial investigation conducted by the city police under his leadership. Junior doctors have been vocal in demanding his removal from his position, and their calls were eventually heeded by the Chief Minister, who replaced Goyal with Manoj Kumar Verma.

The investigation into the rape and murder case was previously transferred from the Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Both the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court have previously condemned the disclosure of the victim's identity.

Meanwhile, junior doctors continue to hold protests, calling for further action in the case.

Agency