The nation was left in shock after the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata came to light on August 9, 2024. The semi-nude body of the second-year postgraduate student was discovered in the Seminar Hall of RG Kar Medical College, where she had been on duty the previous night. Initially suspected to be a case of suicide, investigations revealed that the victim had been raped and murdered, leading to the arrest of a suspect, Sanjay Roy, on Saturday.
The horrific incident has sparked widespread protests among doctors, demanding justice for the victim and improved security measures. The case is being handled by Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, whose decisive actions have been pivotal in the investigation.
Who is Vineet Kumar Goyal?
Vineet Kumar Goyal, a Senior IPS Officer from the 1994 batch, took over as the Police Commissioner of Kolkata in December 2021, succeeding Soumen Mitra. He is known to be closely associated with West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIT Kanpur, Goyal has held several key positions within the Kolkata Police, including Deputy Commissioner of Police in various divisions and Joint Commissioner of Police for the Special Task Force and Traffic.
Goyal is a decorated officer, having been awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry twice, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service, and the Chief Minister’s Medal for Outstanding Service. Despite facing disciplinary action initiated by the Union Home Ministry earlier this year for allegedly maligning the office of the West Bengal Governor, Goyal remains a respected figure in the state’s law enforcement.
The Investigation So Far
Under Commissioner Goyal’s leadership, the police acted swiftly after the discovery of the victim’s body. A Bluetooth earpiece found at the scene, reportedly belonging to Sanjay Roy, led to his quick arrest. The police have confirmed that the 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered, and further investigations are ongoing.
As the case unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring justice for the victim while addressing the safety concerns raised by the medical community in Kolkata.
