A year has passed since the horrific rape and murder of a young woman doctor inside the premises of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, yet the pain and anger among her family, colleagues, and activists remain as intense as the day her body was found.
On August 9 last year, the 31-year-old post-graduate doctor was discovered dead inside the hospital campus in circumstances that sparked outrage across West Bengal. Initially, the outcry was directed at the state administration and Kolkata Police, accused of botching the early investigation to shield powerful individuals. But as months passed and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over, faith in the central agency also began to erode.
CBI's Role, doubtful?&nbsp;
The victim&rsquo;s parents have openly accused the CBI of mirroring Kolkata Police&rsquo;s narrative that the crime was a single-accused case involving civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, convicted and sentenced for rape and murder&nbsp; rather than exploring the possibility of a gang crime.
"From day one, the investigation seemed focused on proving it was only Roy. We have been insisting there were more people involved, but those leads were ignored," said the victim&rsquo;s father.
Questions also swirl around why the CBI has failed to file supplementary charges against former R.G. Kar principal Sandeep Ghosh and ex-Tala Police Station Avijit Mondal, both arrested for allegedly tampering with crucial evidence. Their default bail, granted after the agency missed the 90-day filing deadline, is seen by many as a major lapse.
Conflict of Interest
Adding to skepticism, the CBI appointed IPS officer Sampat Meena to lead the probe, a batchmate of then-Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, under whose leadership the initial, disputed investigation began. Critics argue this raises questions about impartiality, especially given that Goyal was removed from his post after massive protests.
Key Concerns&nbsp;
Doctors, activists, and the victim&rsquo;s supporters have compiled a troubling list of unanswered questions:
<ul data-start="2546" data-end="2903">
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2546" data-end="2623">
Why was the crime scene left unsecured, allowing potential contamination?
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2624" data-end="2685">
Why did authorities permit so many people near the scene?
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2686" data-end="2755">
Why was the adjoining washroom wall destroyed after the incident?
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2756" data-end="2832">
Why was the post-mortem rushed, raising doubts about forensic integrity?
</li>
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="2833" data-end="2903">
Were efforts made to destroy evidence, and if so, on whose orders?
</li>
</ul>
Former Association of Health Service Doctors (AHSD) general secretary Dr. Manas Gumta has been one of the loudest voices demanding accountability:
"More than one person was likely involved. The investigation has ignored this possibility. We want to know why the state was in such a hurry to crush doctors&rsquo; protests and why those in positions of power were seemingly protected."
Doctor's Movement Remains Defiant&nbsp;
The tragedy triggered one of the most sustained protests by West Bengal&rsquo;s medical community in recent memory. Junior doctors like Aniket Mahato argue that the CBI&rsquo;s year-long investigation has achieved little.
"Evidence was clearly disturbed. We still don&rsquo;t know who ordered it. The hospital had multiple allegations of irregularities, none have been fully investigated," Mahato said.
Actress and social activist Ushashi Chakraborty, who joined the protests from the outset, insists that public pressure remains vital:
"Without constant vigilance and mass movements, there&rsquo;s every chance this case will be quietly buried. We cannot allow that to happen."
Political Voices Join In&nbsp;
Even political figures have voiced concern. Former BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said the family&rsquo;s grievances against the CBI are justified, calling for a fresh, court-monitored investigation from scratch.
The Fight Is Far From Over&nbsp;
For the victim&rsquo;s parents, every passing day without justice is a reminder of institutional failure. For the doctors and activists still marching in the streets, the case has become a rallying cry, not just for one victim, but for the safety and dignity of all women working in India&rsquo;s hospitals.
As the first anniversary passes, one truth remains: too many questions are unanswered, too much trust has been lost, and the shadow of doubt still hangs heavily over the RG Kar case.

1 Year On, Justice Eludes RG Kar Rape Murder Case

Victim’s family, doctors, and activists demand ftransparent probe into alleged cover

1 Year On, Justice Eludes RG Kar Rape Murder Case

Victim’s family, doctors, and activists demand ftransparent probe into alleged cover

August 10, 2025 | 11:42 IST