Adhikari cites suspension of three IPS officers to underline zero tolerance towards crime

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said his government had zero tolerance towards crime, citing the suspension of three IPS officers over alleged mishandling of the initial investigation into the 2024 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Addressing an event organised by the ABVP, the RSS-affiliated student organisation, at the state-run hospital, Adhikari alleged that a mob vandalised the crime scene five days after the incident on August 9, 2024, on the instructions of the then chief minister, with the involvement of a local TMC MLA.

"The mob belonged to a community. We will bring the perpetrators to book," he alleged.

"The BJP government has zero tolerance towards crime. Case in point is the suspension of three senior IPS officers soon after the party came to power for their alleged mishandling and dereliction of duty during the initial phase of the probe into the R G Kar case," Adhikari said.

Former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and former deputy commissioners Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta were suspended on May 15, days after the BJP assumed power in the state.

Adhikari said the West Bengal Police had also launched an investigation into the alleged hurried cremation of the victim's body.

"This government will ensure justice for the family. On the request of the victim's family, the Calcutta High Court has ordered a CBI probe into it," he said.

The chief minister further said allegations of irregularities in the purchase of medical equipment for R G Kar Hospital during the previous TMC government would also be investigated.