On August 15, Kolkata Police suspended three officers in connection with the recent vandalism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The suspended personnel include two Assistant Commissioners, Shakir Uddin Sardar and Ramesh Shah Chowdhury, and Inspector Rakesh Minj. The suspension follows their failure to prevent the vandalism and the ongoing departmental inquiry against them.
The incident occurred on August 14, when 40 to 50 miscreants broke into the hospital’s emergency ward and vandalized it. This attack came after the murder of a female trainee doctor on August 9. The vandals are accused of attempting to destroy evidence related to the murder.
The Supreme Court’s scrutiny of the police’s handling of the incident prompted the suspension. Reports indicated that the city police officers stationed at the hospital remained passive during the vandalism, which spurred protests from medical students and junior doctors who accused the police of being silent spectators.
In response to the Supreme Court’s directive, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has taken over the hospital’s security. The Director General of CISF has visited the hospital to assess the situation and ensure improved security measures.