The West Bengal government has suspended three Indian Police Service (IPS) officers for serious administrative lapses, negligence in registering FIRs and negligence in investigating the RG Kar rape and murder incident. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday made several important announcements regarding the law and order situation in the state, illegal activities inside correctional homes and the investigation into the RG Kar incident.
The Chief Minister has announced strict action against three IPS officers for serious administrative lapses, negligence in registering and investigating the FIR and allegations of paying bribe to the victim’s family. The suspended officials include Vineet Goyal, Indira Mukherjee and Abhishek Gupta.
Speaking at a press conference held in Nabanna, he said that during the tenure of the previous government, a situation had arisen where “protectors had become predators” and parts of the administration had developed links with criminals. According to the official statement, he stressed that the present government will continue its sustained campaign to end this crooked nexus.
The Chief Minister said that complaints have been received from relatives of prisoners regarding rampant use of mobile phones, including smartphones, inside the Presidency Correctional Home. Following these allegations, Director General of Correctional Homes N Ramesh Babu was directed to take immediate action in coordination with the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, DGP and Kolkata Police.
Jail Director General N Ramesh Babu said that a surprise raid was conducted in the Presidency Jail with the help of Kolkata Police. Ten special teams conducted the search operation for about four hours, during which a total of 23 mobile phones were recovered from various secret locations. Now a detailed investigation has started as to how these phones reached the jail, who was using them and who was being contacted.
The Chief Minister announced that the investigation of the case would be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Also, Presidency Correctional Home Superintendent N Kujur and Chief Controller Dipta Ghorai have been suspended with immediate effect on charges of administrative negligence, the release said.
The Chief Minister said that the government will not make any compromise in matters related to women and mother power. He said that the Abhaya incident has shocked the entire state and these administrative steps are being taken to ensure a transparent and fair investigation against the culprits.
