RG Kar Case: Former TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh Among 3 Named in FIR Over Alleged Hasty Cremation

A fresh development has emerged in the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital rape-murder case, with the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate registering an FIR against three people over the alleged hurried cremation of the junior doctor's body.

The FIR names former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Nirmal Ghosh, Panihati municipal councillor Somnath Dey, and Sanjib Mukherjee, a neighbour of the victim's family. The case was registered at Khardah Police Station on the basis of a complaint filed by the victim's father.

The new case focuses specifically on the circumstances surrounding the cremation of the 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor, who was found dead at RG Kar Medical College on August 9, 2024 after being raped and murdered, according to the investigation.

Allegations Over the Cremation

According to the complaint and police investigation, the victim's body was allegedly taken to a crematorium in Panihati and cremated in haste. The allegations claim that the process was completed without proper consent from the victim's immediate family.

One of the key concerns raised in the case is whether the hurried cremation may have prevented the possibility of a second post-mortem examination and potentially resulted in the loss of evidence. Police are examining the circumstances in which the cremation was carried out and the role allegedly played by the three individuals named in the FIR.

Police have also raised questions over the documentation associated with the cremation. According to the report, signatures on the consent documents were allegedly those of neighbours rather than the victim's parents or other immediate family members. Police also said that the cremation was carried out while two other bodies waiting in the queue were reportedly kept behind.

Separate From the Main CBI Investigation

The newly registered FIR is separate from the investigation into the original rape and murder case. The CBI had taken over the investigation into the main crime from Kolkata Police, while the new case concerning the cremation is being investigated by the Khardah Police.

The fresh FIR therefore adds another layer to a case that has already triggered widespread public outrage and scrutiny over the handling of evidence and the events immediately following the doctor's death.

Why Was the FIR Filed Now?

The FIR came shortly after directions were issued for renewed scrutiny of the cremation. According to the report, authorities had raised questions about issues including the alleged waiver of cremation charges and the absence of signatures from the victim's family members on relevant documents.

The roles of Nirmal Ghosh, Somnath Dey and Sanjib Mukherjee are now being examined as part of the fresh investigation.

The allegations against the three individuals are yet to be established in court. The fresh police investigation will determine whether the cremation was conducted in violation of procedure and whether there was any deliberate attempt to prevent further forensic examination or suppress evidence.

The original RG Kar case remains a major legal and political issue in West Bengal. One person has already been convicted in the original case, while related proceedings continue before the Calcutta High Court.