Two Arrested Over Alleged Hasty Cremation Of RG Kar Doctor

The second accused, identified as Sanjeev Mukherjee, a neighbour of the victim's family and a former councillor of Panihati Municipality, was arrested from a house in Chinar Park area of Kolkata late on Thursday. Police said he had been absconding.

Ghosh was arrested a day earlier from a hideout in Balasore, Odisha, over his alleged role in the hurried cremation of the victim's body. Police have booked him on charges including destruction of evidence, criminal conspiracy and forcing someone to carry out an act against their will.

The arrests followed a fresh complaint filed by the victim's father on Monday, which was subsequently converted into an FIR. The family alleged that Ghosh, who was then the sitting MLA of Panihati, used his influence to pressure them into agreeing to an early cremation despite their objections.

The parents have alleged that the body was taken to the crematorium in undue haste after the autopsy, potentially preventing a second post-mortem that could have revealed additional evidence relating to the rape and murder.

Mukherjee, who is believed to be a close associate of Ghosh, was allegedly present at the Panihati crematorium when the body was brought there following the autopsy. He was expected to be produced before the Barrackpore sub-divisional court on Friday.

The third accused, former Panihati municipality chairman Somnath Dey, remains absconding, police said.

The arrests sparked anger among local residents and protesters. Ghosh was assaulted by a mob outside Khardah Police Station in North 24 Parganas when police were escorting him to a prison van for his court appearance.

The crowd hit and kicked the former MLA and pelted him with footwear, eggs and muck despite the presence of police and Rapid Action Force personnel. Security personnel covered his head with a helmet to protect him from further attacks.

At the Barrackpore court, another group of people raised "chor, chor" slogans as Ghosh was taken inside. A similar reception was given to Mukherjee, who was also escorted by police towards the vehicle taking him to court.

Police sources said they were likely to seek 14-day custody of the two arrested accused.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari praised the Barrackpore police for arresting Ghosh and Mukherjee. He said the third accused would also be arrested soon.

The chief minister had earlier directed the Barrackpore Police Commissioner to conduct a fresh investigation into the alleged hurried cremation, an aspect that was outside the scope of the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the rape-murder case.

The doctor was found dead inside the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024. The crime triggered massive protests across West Bengal and the country, with demands for justice, accountability and better security for medical professionals.

Ghosh was reportedly seen at the hospital on the evening the victim's body was discovered. He allegedly met the then medical college principal Sandip Ghosh and was later seen accompanying the hearse carrying the body to the crematorium.

Adhikari has also alleged that the then Trinamool Congress government shielded police officers suspected of involvement in the broader case. He said three IPS officers had been suspended and the medical council registration of some persons allegedly involved in the matter had been cancelled.

The fresh investigation has brought renewed focus on the events following the discovery of the doctor's body, with authorities now examining whether political influence was used to hasten the cremation and potentially affect the collection of evidence.