Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Two Years After RG Kar Doctor's Rape-Murder, Case Remains Unresolved
In August 2024, a trainee doctor was found raped and murdered inside a Kolkata hospital.
The crime caused protests across India, with doctors demanding justice and safer workplaces.
Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer, was found guilty and given a life sentence.
However, questions remain about how the hospital and authorities handled the case.
Investigators are also examining whether the victim’s cremation was rushed to remove evidence.
Former politician Nirmal Ghosh was arrested in connection with that separate investigation.
The high court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to finish its wider investigation within three weeks.
Doctors say that safety problems at hospitals, such as poor rest facilities and missing panic buttons, still continue.
A 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was raped and murdered at RG Kar hospital on August 9, 2024.
Civic volunteer Sanjoy Roy was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime.
The Central Bureau of Investigation must conclude its wider probe within three weeks, after a Calcutta High Court order.
A separate FIR examines allegations that the victim’s cremation was hurried to destroy forensic evidence; former MLA Nirmal Ghosh was arrested.
Doctors continue to report long shifts, inadequate washrooms and missing panic buttons despite Central Industrial Security Force deployment.
- Who
- A 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was killed; Sanjoy Roy was convicted, while authorities continue investigating alleged institutional failures and a rushed cremation.
- What
- The rape-murder case, related cover-up allegations, the investigation into the cremation, and hospital safety conditions remain under review.
- When
- The doctor was killed on August 9, 2024; the update was published September 2, 2026. The court ordered the CBI to finish its probe within three weeks on August 28, 2026.
- Where
- RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal; the cremation investigation concerns Natagarh Kadamtala crematorium.
- Why
- The case prompted investigations and court action because of alleged police and institutional lapses, possible destruction of forensic evidence, and continuing concerns about healthcare-worker safety.
Death Sentence Advocates
Life Imprisonment Outcome
Punishment for the primary convict
Death Sentence Advocates
The West Bengal state government has asked the Calcutta High Court to impose the death sentence on Sanjoy Roy.
Life Imprisonment Outcome
Sanjoy Roy has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment; the Calcutta High Court has reserved its verdict on the state’s petition.
Assessment of investigation progress
Death Sentence Advocates
The Calcutta High Court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the CBI’s progress and rejected its request for more time.
Life Imprisonment Outcome
The CBI is continuing its wider investigation and was ordered to complete it within three weeks.
- Incident date
- August 9, 2024
- Victim
- A 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor
- Primary convict
- Sanjoy Roy, a Kolkata Police civic volunteer
- Sentence
- Life imprisonment
- Current investigation deadline
- The Calcutta High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to conclude its probe within three weeks on August 28, 2026.
- Next high court hearing
- September 24, 2026
- Separate cremation investigation
- Barrackpore City Police registered a fresh FIR concerning the victim’s hurried cremation.
- Related custody case
- Former RG Kar principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh remains jailed over alleged financial irregularities; the Supreme Court gave the CBI until October 15, 2026 to respond to his bail application.